Nepal has started the procedure to host the Asian region’s qualification tournament of the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers, as per the source. International Cricket Council (ICC) has already unveiled the schedule and fixtures for the qualifying matches.
The upcoming Twenty-20 World Cup will be co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies in June 2024, featuring twenty teams, with 12 already confirmed. The remaining eight teams will earn their spots in the mega event through the qualifiers from different regions.
The Asia Qualifiers will have eight teams competing for two spots in the upcoming T20 World Cup, with two teams from the sub-regional tournament joining Nepal, Oman, Hong Kong, UAE, Bahrain, and Singapore in the regional final. Although all regions’ hosts have been confirmed, the Asia region’s host is yet to be announced.
Nepal is currently hosting the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, which is the pathway to Asia Cup 2023, and the winner of the tournament will join India and Pakistan in the upcoming tournament. Building on this event’s success, Nepal is attempting to secure the T20 World Cup qualifier as well.
“We are taking initiatives for ICC World Cup qualifiers in Asia. Success in the ACC Premier Cup will determine that. It is said that the competition will be held between October and November. We have already started the proposed preparation for the project.” Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) president Chatur Bahadur Chand said to Kantipur.
According to Chand, hosting International Cricket through the ACC Premier Cup at Mulpani Cricket Ground has made it easier for Nepal to organize other competitions. Two grounds are mandatory for organizing the Asia Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers. Chand said that if Nepal gets the project, it will be held at TU Cricket Ground and Mulpani Cricket Ground.
ACC representatives are currently in Nepal for the Premier Cup. They have promised to allow Nepal to organize a tournament every year. President Chand said, “ACC Twenty-20 Cup will be held in January-February next year, and we are taking initiatives for that as well.” The ACC U-19 Premier Cup is also being held at the end of this year. We have said that the Either, Twenty-20 or U-19 Premier Cup should be held here. However, our claim remains for both tournaments.
As per, Binod Pandey – Kantipur
