The ICC could scrap the men's global qualifier for the T20 World Cup 2021 in India because of the scheduling issue created by less than a year-long gap between the next year's edition of the pinnacle event down under and the one in the subcontinent (previously Champions Trophy). And instead, prefer the Super 12s in Australia gaining direct qualification and decide the rest of the four tournament spots through regional qualifiers, says a report in ESPNcricinfo.
It is understood, the governing body is finding it impractical to schedule two global qualifiers in subsequent years with some of the next cycle's regional qualifiers unlikely to conclude until April or May 2021.
Also, while it has previously, in 2010, happened that the global qualifier was scheduled just two months prior to the T20 World Cup itself in the Caribbean, the current proposal has found support from lower-ranked Associates as they would gain financially if the event is scrapped and the budget set aside for it is distributed among all members.
Such teams, within a huge on-field gap from the major emerging nations, could out-vote them for a one-off payment.
If the idea is implemented, the preliminary group phase next year that sees PNG, Ireland, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland, Oman - who all just qualified from the global qualifier in UAE - split across with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will have added context to it. Not only the top two teams gain entry to the Super 12 but also book themselves a ticket to India.
However, one major issue is that there are five regions to fill the rest of the four slots. To solve which, awarding a slot each to the winners of Americas, Europe and Asia regional qualifiers and filling the other via a playoff final between winners of East-Asia Pacific and Africa could be considered.
This will toughen up the Europe and Asia regional qualifiers with most of the lower-ranked Associates likely to fall by the wayside facing potentially the might of Ireland, Scotland or Netherlands, and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or Oman, respectively.
And not only confirm one T20 World Cup entry amidst the likes of USA, Bermuda & co in Americas but also provide an easy route escape to contest the one final slot for PNG and Zimbabwe from EAP and Africa, respectively; although teams on the up like Namibia might have something to say about that.
A final decision on qualification for the T20 World Cup 2021 may not be taken until an ICC board meeting in March 2020.
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
