UAE cricketer Katie Thompson
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Int'l Cricket Council
10-07-2025
- Int'l Cricket Council
ICC announces schedule for East Asia-Pacific and Asia World Cup Qualifiers
Fiji to host largest EAP Women's Event ever with eight teams at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier contending for one place at the Global Qualifier Oman to host combined ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier with nine teams vying for three spots at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Infographics detailing the road to qualification for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup are available to download from the ICC's Online Media Zone The second half of 2025 sees the EAP and Asia regions host two high stakes ICC men's and women's pathway events on the road to World Cup Qualification. The action starts with the ICC Women's T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier, which will take place from 9-15 September, staged in Suva, Fiji. The hosts will welcome Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Japan, Samoa, Cook Islands and the Philippines. Teams will be split into two groups of four each before the semi-final and final, where the winning team will qualify for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. The event will be the first time that the Philippines have played in an ICC Women's Pathway Event. Chief Executive of Cricket Fiji, Sitiveni Rokoro, said: "We are proud to host our first ICC Women's pathway event here in Suva, Fiji. This marks a major achievement for us, not only as our inaugural women's event at this level, but also as the largest ICC Qualifier ever held in the East Asia-Pacific region, with the participation of eight nations.' 'We are especially excited to welcome all participating teams and extend a warm 'Bula vinaka' to each one of them. 'A special acknowledgment goes to the Philippines women's team, who will be making their debut in an ICC pathway event. This tournament stands as a testament to the growth, inclusivity and regional collaboration that continues to drive the advancement of women's cricket across the East Asia-Pacific. 'We are deeply grateful to the ICC and the EAP Regional Team for their continued support and commitment in helping us bring this event to life.' From 8 October, Oman will stage the combined ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & East Asia-Pacific Qualifier with the ultimate goal of three World Cup spots up for grabs. Sub-regional qualifiers from 2024 Kuwait, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Japan and Samoa will join Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and the hosts, to do battle over the 10-day event. The tournament will take place in two stages: a Group Stage from 8-10 October, followed by a Super Six Stage from 12-17 October. Teams are split into three groups of three, and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage. At the end of the Super Six, the top three teams will earn their place in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, alongside some of the biggest names in world cricket competing in India and Sri Lanka next year. Alkesh Joshi, Oman Cricket Treasurer said: 'As a board, we are fully committed to providing our players with world-class preparation platforms. We also want this tournament to be a celebration for fans, that's why entry to all matches at Amerat will be free. We invite the community to turn out in their numbers and cheer for the team. 'We sincerely thank the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for their unwavering support in Oman's cricketing journey. Hosting major ICC events elevates Oman's status in the global sporting arena. 'This tournament is a celebration of associate cricket. Hosting it in Oman proves we are not just participants but contributors to the growth of global cricket.' 2025 Match Schedules: ICC Women's T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier Tuesday 9 September Fiji v Cook Islands (AM) PNG v Japan (AM) Indonesia v Vanuatu (PM) Samoa v Philippines (PM) Wednesday 10 September Japan v Samoa (AM) Fiji v Indonesia (AM) PNG v Philippines (PM) Cook Islands v Vanuatu (PM) Friday 12 September Cook Islands v Indonesia (AM) Philippines v Japan (AM) Fiji v Vanuatu (PM) Samoa v PNG (PM) Saturday 13 September A3 v B4 (SF3) (9:00AM*) B3 v A4 (SF4) (9:00AM*) A1 v B2 (SF1) (PM) B1 v A2 (SF2) (PM) Monday 15 September Winner SF3 v Winner SF4 (AM) Loser SF3 v Loser SF4 (AM) Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (PM) Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (PM) All matches will be live on and take place at Albert Park, Suva, starting at 9:30 (AM) and 1:30 (PM) local time. ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier Group 1 – UAE, Malaysia, Qatar Group 2 – Nepal, Kuwait, Japan Group 3 – Oman, Papua New Guinea, Samoa Wednesday, 8 October Oman v Samoa 10:00AM UAE v Qatar 2:30PM Nepal v Kuwait 7:00PM Thursday, 9 October Malaysia v Qatar 10:00AM Kuwait v Japan 2:30PM PNG v Samoa 7:00PM Friday, 10 October UAE v Malaysia 10:00AM Nepal v Japan 2:30PM Oman V PNG 7:00PM Super Six Stage Sunday, 12 October G3Q1 v G1Q2 10:00AM G1Q1 V G2Q1 2:30PM G3Q2 v G2Q2 7:00PM Monday, 13 October G3Q1 v G1Q1 2:30PM G2Q1 v G1Q2 7:00PM Wednesday, 15 October G2Q2 v G1Q2 10:00AM G3Q2 v G1Q1 2:30PM G3Q1 V G2Q1 7:00PM Thursday, 16 October G1Q1 V G2Q2 2:30PM G1Q2 v G3Q2 7:00PM Friday, 17 October G2Q2v G3Q1 10:00AM G3Q2 v G2Q1 2:30PM All matches will be live on and take place at the Oman Cricket Academy in Al Amerat.
The National
06-05-2025
- The National
UAE cricketer Katie Thompson
Katie Thompson arrived in the UAE in 2021 and will now be a part of the national team in the T20 World Cup Asia qualifier
The National
06-05-2025
- The National
From Harrogate to Ajman, then the world: Katie Thompson is living the dream after UAE call up
Up until four years ago, Katie Thompson had never been on a plane. The first flight she took brought her from the UK's northwest to the unlikely destination of Ajman. Now she could soon become a globe-trotting international cricketer, having been called up to the UAE women's team for the first time. Currently she is in Thailand, where the national team are finalising their preparations for the Asian regional qualifier for the Women's T20 World Cup. The top two sides in the nine-team tournament will advance to the global qualifier at the start of next year. The top sides in that would in turn make it to the main event, to be staged in England next year – which is where Thompson started out her journey. 'I am super excited,' Thompson, 28, said ahead of her first tour with the national team. 'It is every child's aspiration to represent their country at something. I am so close to doing it, and I really hope I get the opportunity. 'Just getting the kit – the huge bag of kit, I put everything on. The jumpers, hats, everything. Every time I put the kit on at home, I just feel so proud. 'I feel proud because it is the case that: I made it. I have been working really hard, like everyone has, and now I am hoping to get that extra step and get onto the international stage. It might sound like a cliche, but to make my debut would be a dream come true.' Thompson, who has debuted for the UAE team in their warm-up matches against China and Kuwait, is the second English-born player to represent the country at cricket. Mahika Gaur, the first, is now back in England where she represents the country of her birth. Thompson arrived in the Emirates in August 2021 when she took up a job as a PE teacher at Victoria English School in Sharjah. It was a step into the unknown for someone who had lived all her life till that point in Harrogate in Yorkshire, which was the county she represented in cricket. 'It was Covid, all the rules were in place and my brother had just moved out of our family house,' she said. 'We had grown up being best friends. It wasn't a lonely time as I love my mum and dad to bits, but with all the rules in place, I thought to myself, 'Let's see what's out there. Let's have an adventure.' 'I started looking at international job websites and I thought, 'Why not apply?' The next thing I know, I'm having an interview, accepting the job in February 2021. Then in August, I am on my first ever flight – my first time on a plane – out here to the UAE.' She had been abroad to France before, by ferry, but Ajman – where she has lived for the four years since – in August was a significantly different experience. 'It was a big change,' she said. 'I was apprehensive and excited. There were a few of us moving out at the same time, so we made a WhatsApp group, and I asked if anyone was flying from [Manchester]. 'I flew out with a maths teacher and it was also his first time on a plane. We were both sat there, really excited.' One of the unknowns facing her was whether she would ever play cricket again. She did not know if there was a cricket scene for women in the UAE, and was focused on her job, anyway. Unbeknown to her, her dad had contacted Darjeeling, the oldest club side in Dubai, to see if they could accommodate her. They were more than happy to enlist her for their side. It was an opportune arrangement: during one match she played for Darjeeling at the ICC Academy in Dubai Sports City, she was spotted by the UAE national team. 'I was playing a game for Darjeeling, and the girls were netting,' she said. 'Someone looked over and noticed they had a woman playing. We finished the game, then one of the coaches stopped me and asked how long I have been here, and wanted to know about the residency and whether I would qualify to play. 'They took my number, then I did my first training session here in November, and it has developed from there. Once I started becoming more involved, I realised this is something I would love to be a part of.' Now she is part of the tour party for the first time, in a side who are thriving. This weekend it was confirmed the UAE women's team will have one-day international status, on the basis of the continued progress they have made in the T20 format. They came close to qualification for the last T20 World Cup. If they can achieve it this time around, it would make for a poignant trip home for Thompson. 'They have been telling everyone,' she said. 'Mum has been telling all her work colleagues in the office, and dad as well. All my family have been nothing but supportive. 'The dream for us girls is to get to the World Cup, which is England next year. If everything works out, then hopefully my mum and dad can come and see me play. 'I'm where I am now because of the help of them; driving me training, taking days off work to drive me to games, getting me the kit, paying for memberships. 'It would mean the world to be able to give this back to them, either watching me on TV, or watching me in person wearing the UAE kit.'
