2024 T20 World Cup qualifiers to begin in Europe in June

The first qualifying event for the 2024 T20 World Cup will commence in June in Europe as the ICC unveiled the process and schedule for the pathway events in the continent. The two-year qualification process sees 15 different pathway events take place, with teams from six continents vying for qualification berths. It will also mark the largest contingent of teams at the finals in the USA and the West Indies, with 20 teams set to participate in the main event. There will be eight spots up for grabs through the qualifiers, with 12 teams qualifying automatically.

The top-eight teams from the 2022 edition (to be hosted by Australia this October-November) along with the two hosts – West Indies and USA – will get automatic berths for the 2024 league phase. The remaining two slots, via the automatic-qualification route, will be taken by the next-highest-ranked teams on the ICC’s T20 rankings as of November 14 this year. In case West Indies finish in the top eight in this year’s World Cup, then the top-three teams based on their ICC rankings on the cut-off date will make the grade.

The first qualifiers this year will take place in Europe, with three sub-regional qualifiers in Belgium and Finland starting June 28.

Overall, 68 nations will start at the sub-regional qualifiers, with 28 teams entering later once the results of this year’s T20 World Cup and the automatic qualifiers for 2024 are known. The 68 teams will seek to progress from the first step and will be spread across 10 sub-regional qualifiers: 16 from Africa (two events), eight from the Americas (one event), nine from Asia (two events), seven from the EAP (two events) and 28 teams competing from Europe across their three events.

Speaking on the commencement of the qualification pathway, ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said, “We are delighted to see a record number of teams competing for places at ICC events as the Men’s T20 World Cup pathway begins in Europe. The T20 format continues to drive the growth of the game and over the next two years we will see new teams competing in ICC events for the very first time.

“A very warm welcome to Hungary, Romania and Serbia who are making their debut and thanks to Cricket Belgium and Cricket Finland for playing host to a record number of teams at this stage in qualification. I would like to wish all the competing teams every success as they begin their journey towards the USA and West Indies in 2024.”

Three sub-regional qualifiers will be played for Europe over five weeks in Belgium and Finland. Those 28 teams will be aiming for the Europe Final in 2023, the last step of the qualification stage where the region’s participating nations at the marquee men’s event in 2024 will be determined.

The 2024 T20 World Cup is set to begin in June that year. It will be the first major ICC event hosted by the USA.

Source: ESPN Crickinfo

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