ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Archives

UAE clinch final qualifying spot for ICC T20 World Cup 2026

AL AMERAT: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have booked the final available berth for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating Japan by eight wickets in their decisive Asia–East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier clash on Thursday.

The dominant performance saw the UAE chase down Japan’s modest target of 117 with ease, capping off a campaign defined by consistency and composure.

Haider Ali led the charge with the ball, claiming 3 for 20, before openers Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem stitched together a commanding 70-run stand to seal the victory.

With this win, the UAE joined Nepal and Oman as the three Asian representatives qualifying through the regional route for next year’s 20-team showpiece, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

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The full lineup for the 2026 edition is now complete. Alongside the two hosts, automatic qualification was granted to the top seven sides from the 2024 T20 World Cup: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, and West Indies, as well as Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland, who progressed based on ICC rankings.

From the regional qualifiers, Canada secured the Americas spot, while the Netherlands and Italy emerged from Europe, the latter marking their maiden appearance at a T20 World Cup.

Namibia and Zimbabwe claimed the two available spots from Africa, while Nepal, Oman, and the UAE completed the Asian contingent.

The 2026 tournament will retain the same format as the previous edition, with 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two from each group will advance to the Super Eight stage, followed by semi-finals and the final.

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Zimbabwe seal Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 berth with win over Kenya

HARARE: Brian Bennett’s brisk half-century powered Zimbabwe into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 after a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Kenya in the second semi-final of the Africa qualifiers here at the Harare Sports Club.

With this win, Zimbabwe became the second team from the qualifiers after Namibia to advance through to the mega event set to be held in Sri Lanka and India next year.

Earlier, Namibia defeated Tanzania in the first semi-final to book a spot in the next year’s T20 World Cup.

Kenya chose to bat first but could only muster 122 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs, despite a commendable half-century from top-order batter Rakep Patel.

Patel led the scoring with 65 runs off 47 balls, featuring eight fours and one six.

Other notable contributions included Sachin Gill with 19 runs, Jasraj Kundi with 13, and Pushkar Sharma with 11, but they struggled against a clinical Zimbabwean bowling attack.

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Blessing Muzarabani was the standout bowler for Zimbabwe, finishing with impressive figures of 2 wickets for 19 runs in four overs.

He received support from Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, and Brad Evans, each taking one wicket.

In reply, Zimbabwe easily chased down the 123-run target, losing only three wickets and finishing with 30 balls remaining.

Brian Bennett was the top scorer for the home team, blasting 51 runs off just 25 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.

He partnered well with fellow opener Tadiwanashe Marumani, who added 39 runs off 27 balls with five boundaries.

For Kenya, Vraj Patel claimed two wickets, while Dhiren Gondaria took one.

Zimbabwe and Namibia will now play for the top spot in the qualifiers in the final on Saturday, 4 October, at the same venue.

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Namibia qualifies for 2026 men’s T20 World Cup

HARARE: JJ Smit’s all-round heroics powered Namibia to a victory over Tanzania, securing a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka.

Namibia’s victory in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional qualifiers marked the fourth consecutive time they have qualified for the mega event. Their previous appearances came in the 2021, 2022, and 2024 World Cups.

After being put into bat, Namibia scored 174 on the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.

Namibia were in trouble with 41-4 in 4.4 overs, when skipper Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit paired up at the crease. The duo added 88 runs for the fifth wicket partnership, which helped them out of trouble.

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Gerhard Erasmus made 55 from 41 balls with the aid of six fours, whereas JJ Smit remained unbeaten with 61 from 43 balls, striking four sixes and a boundary.

For Tanzania, Ally Kimote and Khalidy Juma picked up two wickets each.

Set 175, Tanzania mustered only 111-8 in their 20 overs, courtesy of clinical bowling.

Abhik Patwa remained the top-scorer with 31 from 31 balls with the aid of three fours and a six; however, it was not enough as Namibia chipped in with wickets at regular intervals.

After shining with the bat, JJ Smit was excellent with the ball as well and picked up three crucial wickets to help his team seal a memorable win. Ben Shikongo supported him well from the other end, managing to bag three wickets in his quota of four overs.

In the second semi-final, Kenya will face Zimbabwe in a bid to qualify for the marquee event. South Africa is the third African team to qualify directly for the World Cup.

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ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 likely dates revealed

The probable dates for the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 — to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India have been disclosed, with the tournament expected to be played from February 7 to March 8.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the matches of the mega event will be played across at least five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka.

The final will be held in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s advancement through to the pinnacle clash— due to the hybrid model.

As per the report, ICC is in the final stages of finalizing the schedule, and it has informed the participating countries about the window.

It is pertinent to mention that apart from the T20 World Cup, India is set to host several key cricketing events in the early months of 2026.

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The schedule commences with a home T20I and ODI series against New Zealand. This will be followed by the Women’s Premier League, with the dates yet to be finalized. Finally, the Indian Premier League (IPL), which will begin after the T20 World Cup.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will see 20 teams competing for the first time. Currently, 15 teams have booked their spot for the tournament.

The teams are Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, USA, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, Netherlands, and Italy.

Meanwhile, the remaining spots will be filled by two teams from the Africa regional qualifiers and three from the Asia-East Asia Pacific pathway..

The format of the mega event will remain the same as the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup, which was held in the USA and the West Indies, with 20 teams divided into four groups, each comprising five teams.

The top four teams from each group will go through to the Super Eight stages.

For the unversed, the hosts India are the defending champions of the event, having secured the title for the second time in 2024.

They defeated South Africa in a thriller by seven runs to win the T20 World Cup for the first time after 2007.

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New Zealand’s Ross Taylor comes out of retirement to play for Samoa

New Zealand cricket great Ross Taylor announced on Friday that he was coming out of retirement, nearly four years after quitting, to help Samoa qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

The 41-year-old former Blackcaps skipper said it would be a “huge honour” to represent the country of his mother’s birth.

“It’s official – I’m proud to announce that I’ll be pulling on the blue and representing Samoa in cricket,” he said on social media.

“This is more than just a return to the game I love; it’s the huge honour to represent my heritage, culture, villages, and family.

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“I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the game, join the squad, and share my experience on and off the field.”

Taylor played 450 times for New Zealand across all three formats, including 112 Tests.

He last pulled on the black jersey in early 2022 and only became eligible to represent Samoa in April after the required stand-down period before switching allegiances.

“I always wanted to give back in some capacity but didn’t know that I’d be giving back in a playing capacity,” he told New Zealand media.

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“I always thought it would be coaching and coaching young kids and donating gear where I could. But being able to get into the playing side of it, it’s something that I’m looking forward to.”

Ross Taylor will pad up at the World Cup Asia-Pacific qualifying series in Oman in October, where Samoa are pitted against the hosts and Papua New Guinea in Group 3.

Teams are split into three groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing to the Super Six stage.

At the end of the Super Six, the top three earn their place in the 2026 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

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BCCI eyes MS Dhoni as mentor for T20 World Cup 2026: reports

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering bringing MS Dhoni back into the national setup, this time as team mentor for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, according to Indian media.

The tournament, scheduled for February–March, will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. While Dhoni has yet to give his response, the BCCI is said to be keen on securing his services once again.

If confirmed, this would mark Dhoni’s second spell in the role after previously mentoring the side during the 2021 edition in the UAE.

The 44-year-old remains one of India’s most celebrated captains, having led the team to three ICC titles – the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

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Reports, however, suggest that MS Dhoni may decline the approach this time around. His decision could hinge on the possible involvement of Gautam Gambhir in the team management.

The two share iconic memories from India’s 2007 and 2011 triumphs but have often been perceived as holding contrasting views on the game.

The BCCI, nevertheless, remains hopeful of a positive outcome as preparations for the 2026 World Cup gather pace.

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Pakistan, India likely to be in separate groups for T20 World Cup 2026: reports

The fierce cricketing rivalry between Pakistan and India might not light up the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, if reports emerging from Indian media are to be believed.

According to the latest developments, both nations are expected to be placed in separate groups for the mega event, primarily due to ongoing political tensions.

and the fallout from India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Traditionally, Pakistan and India have been drawn in the same group at ICC events, given their inability to play bilateral cricket since 2013.

These encounters, limited to Asia Cups and World Cups, often serve as box-office blockbusters, with broadcasters and fans eagerly awaiting the high-voltage clashes.

However, this time around, the global cricketing body appears to be considering a different approach.

A source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told a local news agency that this issue will be discussed at the annual ICC conference.

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“The issue is bound to come up for discussion at the annual conference,” the source stated.

“While the prospect of India and Pakistan not playing in ICC knockouts is unlikely, not drawing them in the same group, which has been the norm, is a possibility.”

The final call, however, will rest with the ICC and is expected to be made during its annual conference scheduled from July 17 to 20 in Singapore.

This will be the first annual meeting attended by Jay Shah in his capacity as the ICC Chairman since assuming office in December 2024.

The strained ties between the PCB and BCCI have been well documented in recent years, with the latest flashpoint being India’s decision to skip the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan.

The deadlock eventually led to a “fusion formula,” under which both boards reportedly agreed not to visit each other’s home soil for ICC events for the next three years. Instead, their matches would be staged at neutral venues.

If the separation in groups materialises, it would mark a rare shift in ICC’s recent scheduling philosophy, and, more importantly, deprive fans of an early Pakistan-India showdown unless the two sides meet in the knockouts.

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