Test: Women's T20 World Cup pathway resumes as focus turns to Asia Qualifier
Thailand set to host nine-team Qualifier from Friday until 20 May
21 matches across 12 days will determine the two teams that advance to the final stage of qualification - ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier
The road to qualification for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 resumes on Friday with the start of the Asia Qualifier in Bangkok, where nine nations are set to compete in the hope of extending their journey through to England and Wales.
Twenty-one matches will take place across 12 days, spanning two venues in the Thai capital, and the opening day sees the host nation take on Kuwait at Terdthai Cricket Ground (TCG), while Nepal play Hong Kong China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face off against Malaysia, both at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) ground.
The format for the event will see Thailand, Kuwait, and Bhutan compete in Group A, UAE, Malaysia and Qatar form Group B and Nepal, Hong Kong China and Bahrain in Group C.
Following an initial round robin phase which concludes on 16 May, the winners of each of the three groups advance to a Super Three stage, with another round of fixtures ultimately determining the top two teams that will progress to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier – the final stage on the road to England and Wales 2026.
All matches in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifier will be available to watch live on ICC.tv, while fans in the Asian subcontinent can follow the action on FanCode.
ICC Development Manager – Asia, Aminul Islam, said: "The standard of women's cricket across Asia is rising rapidly, with notable improvements in skill, fitness, and competitiveness at all levels. The progress we are witnessing is truly inspiring.
'I firmly believe that the top two teams from this tournament will not only compete strongly in the ICC global qualifier but will have a genuine opportunity to earn their place at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.'
CEO of the Cricket Association of Thailand, Mohideen A. Kader added: 'The Cricket Association of Thailand is delighted to yet again host a multi-nation tournament for the ICC.
'We hope that every team is able to play to the best of its abilities in the coming weeks.'
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales will see a greater number of teams (12) and matches (33) than ever before.
Venues and dates for the pinnacle T20 event were announced last week in a special launch event, where it was revealed that Edgbaston, Hampshire Bowl, Headingley, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, The Oval and Bristol County Ground will host matches from 12 June, with a highly anticipated final set for Lord's Cricket Ground on 5 July.
Eight teams have already gained automatic qualification to the event; holders New Zealand, Australia, England, India, South Africa and the West Indies by virtue of their performances at the 2024 edition, plus Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who were the two next highest ranked teams on the ICC Women's T20I rankings table on 21 October 2024.
The four remaining spots will be determined through a ten-team Qualifier, comprising Bangladesh, Scotland and teams that have advanced from regional pathway events including USA as Americas Qualifier champions, two teams from the Asia Qualifier and others that advance from subsequent competitions held in Africa, Europe and the East Asia-Pacific later this year.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifier Match Schedule
( all times are in ICT – local time )
Friday 9 May
9:00am, Thailand v Kuwait, TCG 9:00am, Nepal v Hong Kong China, AIT
1:30pm, UAE v Malaysia, AIT
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