Nepal to enter direct global qualifier as ICC revamps T20 pathway – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

Key Takeaways:

• Nepal granted direct entry into 16-team Global Qualifier
• Eight other teams, including UAE and USA, also advance directly
• ICC revamps T20 World Cup format to five groups of four

KATHMANDU, JULY 16

Nepal will compete in a 16-team Global Qualifier for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 after the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved a revised qualification pathway and new tournament format at its Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh.

Twelve teams have already secured direct qualification for the 2028 tournament in Australia and New Zealand based on performances at the 2026 T20 World Cup and ICC rankings. Nepal is among eight teams granted direct entry into the Global Qualifier.

The other teams advancing directly are Canada, Italy, Namibia, the Netherlands, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

The remaining eight places will be filled through regional qualifiers, with two teams each from Africa, Asia, and Europe, and one each from the Americas and East Asia-Pacific.

Under the revised system, the highest-ranked team from each region at the Global Qualifier, along with the next three best-performing teams overall, will qualify for the 2028 T20 World Cup.

The ICC also announced a new format for the 20-team T20 World Cup. Instead of four groups of five, teams will now be divided into five groups of four. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super 10 stage, followed by semi-finals determined through group winners and Eliminator matches.

Officials said the changes are intended to increase meaningful matches, strengthen competition, and create greater opportunities for emerging cricket nations such as Nepal.

The ICC Board also approved a new format for the 14-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The tournament will feature a three-stage competition, beginning with a Super Series, then two groups of six, before a Super 7 stage and semi-finals.