The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a series of rule modifications for the 2025–2027 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle to improve the pace of play and tightening regulations. The new playing conditions officially came into effect with the opening Test of the cycle between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle.

One of the most notable innovations is the implementation of a stop clock to address slow over rates. "The fielding side shall be ready to start each over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed. An electronic clock will be displayed at the ground that counts up seconds from zero to 60," the ICC said. The clock will also reset after the 80th over, and teams will receive two warnings before being penalised five runs for a third breach.

Another significant update involves deliberate short runs, where one batter intentionally fails to make ground at an end while trying to simulate multiple runs. In such cases, the umpire will disallow all runs, signal a short run, award five penalty runs to the fielding side, and 'request their captain to identify which of the two batters will be on strike for the next delivery'. However, batters who abort a run with no intent to deceive will not be penalised.