The T20 World Cup 2024, set to be hosted by the United States of America and West Indies, has become the biggest international tournament of the T20 format as it is going to be held between the largest number of teams at the global level so far. ICC's efforts to make cricket a global sport finally bore fruit and for the first time, 20 teams will participate in the mega tournament starting from June 2. Earlier, 16 teams had participated in the 2022 edition. Many teams got direct entry into this tournament, while many teams had to work hard to qualify for the marquee event. Let us understand how these 20 teams sealed their spot in the tournament.
Direct entry of the top-8 teams from the 2022 T20 World Cup
The top-8 teams from the 2022 T20 World Cup held in Australia got direct entry into this year's World Cup. This includes the four semi-finalist teams of that tournament, England, Pakistan, India, and New Zealand. Apart from these, the third and fourth-place teams of both the groups of the Super 12 stage have also got places. This includes Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands.
USA and West Indies got the benefit of hosting
This World Cup will be hosted by the US and West Indies. According to ICC rules, the host country gets a chance to participate in the tournament without playing any qualification round. In this way both these countries have secured their spots. Whereas last year the West Indies team could not qualify for the ODI World Cup to be played in India in 2023.
Two teams qualified due to rankings
The two teams after the top 8 in the T20 International rankings will also get a chance to play in this World Cup. Bangladesh and Afghanistan are included in this list. Both these teams were qualified on the basis of T20 rankings of 14 November 2022.
Ireland and Scotland entered from Europe Qualifier
For the remaining 8 teams, qualifier matches were held at 5 venues. First, Ireland and Scotland won the qualifiers played in Europe. 28 teams played three qualifier rounds for two places and 7 teams made it to the regional finals. In the final held from 20 to 28 July 2023, Scotland finished first in the points table and Ireland occupied the second position. In this way, these two teams were selected.
Papua New Guinea topped the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier
In the battle among nine teams for one place, Papua New Guinea came out on top. After two qualifier rounds between seven teams, four teams made it to the regional finals. Papua New Guinea secured its ticket for the T20 World Cup 2024 by winning all its six matches.
Canada won the American qualifiers
The regional finals of this qualifier were played in Bermuda from 30 September 2023 to 7 October 2023 and were contested between four teams. Canada secured its place by surpassing Bermuda due to better net run rate. Canada and Bermuda had 9 points each in 6 matches.
Nepal and Oman victorious in Asia Qualifier
Two teams were to be selected from the Asian Qualifier. For this, 9 teams played two qualifying rounds and finally 4 teams made it to the regional finals. Nepal stood first and Oman stood second to secure their spots in the T20 World Cup.
Namibia and Uganda won the race of African qualifiers
Now for the remaining two places, 18 teams were challenged in the qualifying round in the qualifiers played in Africa from 22-30 November 2023. In the end, there was a direct competition between 7 teams in the regional final in which Namibia and Uganda won. Uganda will participate in the T20 World Cup for the first time.
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