- Americas and Asia Qualifier B postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions
- Europe Sub-Regionals cancelled Italy, Germany and Denmark qualify from the Sub-Regional Qualifiers to the Europe Qualifier
- The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier also has new dates
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that three ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifiers – pathway tournaments to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia – have been cancelled due to COVID-19 while two events in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 pathway have been postponed.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, two steps away from Australia and due to be hosted in Canada between 17 and 23 July 2021 involving the hosts, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Panama and the USA, has been postponed due to government and travel restrictions. New dates and host country will be confirmed in due course.
The Asia B Qualifier, which is also two steps away from Australia 2022 and was due to be hosted in Malaysia between 11 and 17 July 2021 involving Bhutan, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Thailand, has also been postponed. It is now scheduled to be played between 9 and 15 November 2021 in Malaysia.The decision was taken to postpone due to extensive quarantine requirements in Malaysia and for the visiting teams on their return to their respective countries.
Updated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Pathway
In addition, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier hosted by Malaysia has new confirmed dates of 22-28 November 2021. Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Myanmar, Nepal, Malaysia and the UAE are all set to compete, with the date change allowing Malaysia to host both events back-to-back.
ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “We have unfortunately had to cancel the three ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifiers due to start next month as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As part of the ICC’s comprehensive contingency planning process we have been working continuously with the Hosts, participating Members and all stakeholders to maximise the opportunity for qualification to be determined on the field of play. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions and the short timelines that the European season provides to allow us to progress with the next step in the pathway, there has been no other option than to cancel.
“I would like to thank Cricket Finland, the Belgium Cricket Federation and all participating Members for their collective support in coming to this decision.”
For a list of all 2021 ICC qualifying events, dates and their status please click here.
