Thirty days to go to the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier that will see Bermuda take on Scotland on November 15th.
The event will be played at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi Ovals 1 and 2, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the ICC Academy Ovals 1 and 2 in Dubai from November 15th to 30th.
The ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier has grown in stature since it was first held in Belfast, Ireland, in August 2008. That event comprised the then six top Associate Members – Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands and Scotland.
Ireland and Netherlands shared the trophy when the final was washed out without a ball being bowled. The two sides, along with Scotland - which subsequently replaced Zimbabwe - qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2009, which was staged in England. Pakistan won the tournament beating Sri Lanka in the Final.
The UAE hosted the second edition of the tournament in February 2010, which was contested by eight teams, the six sides having T20I status – Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands and Scotland – as well as the host, UAE, and United States of America (USA), which were specially invited by the ICC.
After 17 matches over six days at two venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan and Ireland reached the final and qualified for the ICC World Twenty20 2010 which was staged in the West Indies and won by England. Afghanistan won the qualifying tournament when it defeated Ireland by eight wickets.
The 2012 edition was also played in the UAE, and was contested by Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark, Nepal, Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy and USA.
The tournament, played in March 2012, was ultimately won by Ireland who defeated Afghanistan in the final, with both sides making it through to the ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka 2012, a tournament ultimately won by the West Indies.
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