ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Qualification continues as cricket comes back to the Pacific

Photo Credit: ICC

• Vanuatu to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional EAP A Qualifier between 9 – 15 September
• Japan to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional EAP B Qualifier between 15 – 18 October
• Two spots up for grabs at the EAP Regional Final scheduled for 2023

The road to the biggest ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 continues in September with the first of two sub-regional qualifying events taking place in the East Asia Pacific (EAP). One team from each event will book their spot in the EAP Regional Final, where they will play against PNG and the Philippines who have already qualified.

Qualification starts in Port Vila as Vanuatu play host to the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Samoa at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional EAP A Qualifier. Vanuatu, hosting their first international men’s tournament since 2005, will make history as they play the first ever T20I on a Hybrid wicket. 

Vanuatu will also welcome the Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour (driven by Nissan) to promote the biggest prize of all. A packed schedule with see the trophy around the island of Efate and join a public celebration at Independence Park in Port Vila attended by His Excellency Nikenike Vurobaravu, President of the Republic of Vanuatu. 

Vanuatu Cricket Association (VCA) CEO Tim Cutler said: “Hosting a pathway event on the road to the 2024 T20 World Cup is very exciting as it will allow the people of Vanuatu to see the World Cup trophy up close and personal, knowing that their national team is only two steps away from qualifying for the main event with a guaranteed berth from the East Asia Pacific region for 2024 and beyond. 

“The historic significance of this event has been recognised locally with His Excellency Nikenike Vurobaravu, President of the Republic of Vanuatu to attend the welcome ceremony.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to come along to one of the public events to get a glimpse of the trophy and to celebrate our country’s highest ranked sporting teams”

Qualification then heads to Sano City, where Japan will host Indonesia and South Korea at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional EAP B Qualifier. 

Japan Cricket Association (JCA) Head of Cricket Operations Alan Curr said: “We are really looking forward to hosting international cricket again in Sano for the first time since 2019. I’m sure many fans and players are looking forward to this event so we look forward to hosting a safe and enjoyable tournament”. 

Both tournaments will see the winner of a double round robin fixture qualify for the EAP Regional Final scheduled for 2023.

EAP Acting Regional Development Manager Rob Gomm remarked: “The EAP region is excited to be holding these events after a long break in men’s international cricket. All teams have been training hard and will no doubt give it their all to reach the EAP Regional Final.

“I would like to thank both the VCA and JCA for their efforts in putting together what will surely be incredible events.”

Match Schedules:

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional EAP A Qualifier (Vanuatu)

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub Regional EAP B Qualifier (Japan)

All matches can be live-streamed on ICC.tv. 

Name of Author: ICC

ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body for cricket, founded in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference. Renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, it became the ICC in 1987. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the ICC has 108 member nations.