Schedule revealed ahead of Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier

Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, Kenya, Singapore, Hong Kong, Oman, USA, Bermuda, Canada, Jersey, Namibia, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea are set to fight it out for the half-dozen spots available for next year’s T20 World Cup

The schedule for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier has been revealed ahead of the fortnight-long tournament, which will see 14 nations battle it out for six places in next year’s T20 World Cup.

The qualifying event, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from October 18 to November 2, was jointly won by Scotland and the Netherlands at its previous instalment in 2015.

Scotland, who are the competition’s top-ranked side, will face Singapore on the opening day in Dubai, with the Netherlands taking on Kenya at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Ireland will open their competition against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

Oman, USA, Bermuda, Canada, Jersey, Namibia, Nigeria and Papua New Guinea are the other teams set to fight it out for the half-dozen spots available for next year’s T20 World Cup.

The global event, which was last won in 2016 by West Indies after a thrilling final against England, takes place between October 18 and November 15.

Scotland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Singapore, Kenya and Bermuda make up Group A, while UAE, Ireland, Oman, Hong Kong, Canada, Jersey and Nigeria will face off in Group B.

The top team from each group will then move into the semi-final of the Qualifier tournament, while also automatically securing their place in Australia. That will leave the second, third and fourth placed teams in each group to compete for the final four places.

The knockout stages will then take place – primarily at the Dubai International Stadium, before the semi-finals on November 1 and a final on the following day.

ICC head of events Chris Tetley said: “This tournament is the final stage of the qualification pathway to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia which started in February 2018 and included 61 teams across the five ICC regions.

“We are delighted to be working with the Emirates Cricket Board and in the UAE again, since they last played host to the ICC U19 CWC 2014, at world-class facilities in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“On behalf of the ICC, I wish all participating teams the very best and look forward to seeing some compelling and competitive cricket that showcases the quality of the game worldwide.”

Full schedule

18 October: Scotland v Singapore, Netherlands v Kenya; Hong Kong v Ireland, Oman v UAE.

19 October: PNG v Bermuda, Netherlands v Namibia; Scotland v Kenya; Jersey v Nigeria, Ireland v UAE.

20 October: PNG v Namibia, Bermuda v Singapore; Hong Kong v Oman, Canada v Jersey.

21 October: Scotland v PNG, Kenya v Bermuda; Hong Kong v UAE, Canada v Nigeria; Ireland v Oman.

22 October: Scotland v Namibia, Singapore v Netherlands; UAE v Jersey.

23 October: Namibia v Bermuda, Singapore v Kenya; Ireland v Canada, Hong Kong v Jersey; Oman v Nigeria.

24 October: Scotland v Bermuda; Netherlands v PNG; UAE v Nigeria, Hong Kong v Canada.

25 October: PNG v Singapore, Namibia v Kenya; Oman v Canada; Ireland v Jersey.

26 October: Netherlands v Bermuda, Namibia v Singapore; Ireland v Nigeria.

27 October: PNG v Kenya, Scotland v Netherlands; Oman v Jersey, UAE v Canada, Hong Kong v Nigeria.

29 October: Play-off 1 – A2 v B3; Play-off 2 – A3 v B2.

30 October: Play-off 3 – A4 v Loser of Play-off 1; Play-off 4 – B4 v Loser of Play-off 2.

31 October: Play-off for fifth and sixth places – Winner of Play-off 3 v Winner of Play-off 4.

1 November: Semi-final 1 – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1, Semi-final 2 – A1 v Winner of Play-off 2.

2 November: Third place Play-off – B1 v Winner of Play-off 1; Final.

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