ICC confirms Bangladesh’s direct qualification for 2028 T20 WC

International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Bangladesh cricket team will directly qualify for 2028 T20 World Cup, ending speculation over the team’s participation following their decision to skip the ongoing tournament in India and Sri Lanka.

An ICC press release issued on Wednesday clarified that Bangladesh’s spot in the 2028 event, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, is secured based on their ICC T20I team ranking.

The qualification picture was finalized following Pakistan’s victory over Namibia in Colombo, which completed the Super Eight lineup. 

The teams advancing; Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, West Indies, England, South Africa and New Zealand, have all automatically qualified for 2028 edition.

Under the rules for the 20-team tournament, 12 teams qualify automatically, including the co-hosts and top performers from the current World Cup. 

Although Australia did not reach the Super Eight this year, their spot is guaranteed as a host nation.

With nine automatic slots filled (the Super Eight teams plus Australia), the remaining three are determined by ICC T20I rankings as of March 9, the day after the current World Cup final. 

Currently, Bangladesh is ranked 9th, followed by Afghanistan at 10th and Ireland at 12th. With no scheduled T20I matches before the March 9 cutoff that could alter these positions, ICC has effectively confirmed the automatic qualification of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland.

The remaining eight spots for the 2028 tournament will be decided through regional qualifiers.

SH