The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the groupings for the upcoming cycle of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League. This 12-team competition serves as a crucial stepping stone on the path to the 2027 World Cup, offering a revised format with more opportunities for teams to progress.
Expanded Opportunities for World Cup Qualification
Previously, the Challenge League offered a limited number of spots for advancement. However, this revamped edition features two groups of six teams each – Challenge League A and Challenge League B.
This revised format allows the winners and runners-up from each group to secure a place at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff. This increased number of qualifying slots signifies a significant boost for developing nations vying for a shot at the prestigious World Cup.
Group Composition
Challenge League A features a mix of established and emerging cricketing nations:
- Denmark
- Jersey
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Papua New Guinea
- Qatar
Challenge League B brings together another exciting group of teams:
- Bahrain
- Hong Kong China
- Italy
- Singapore
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Eight teams earned their spots in the Challenge League based on their performance in the previous qualification pathway. Four additional teams secured their places via the recently concluded Challenge League Playoff held in Malaysia. These teams are Bahrain, Italy, Kuwait, and Tanzania.
Fixture Schedule and Next Steps
While the official fixture schedule for the Challenge League is yet to be finalized, the competition will take place between 2024 and 2026. Three round-robin series will be held during this period. The top two teams from each group will progress to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff, where they will face the bottom four teams from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley, highlighted the significance of the Challenge League in the qualification process: “The Challenge League represents an important stage in qualification through to the 14-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027. This competition provides a competitive platform for high-performing emerging nations to stake a claim for World Cup qualification.” With a more accessible pathway and increased opportunities for advancement, Tetley expects teams to be highly motivated throughout the competition.
Barclay, another ICC representative, echoed Tetley’s sentiments, wishing all the teams the best of luck and anticipating the emergence of talented players during the Challenge League. The upcoming matches promise to be filled with exciting cricket as teams battle for a chance to compete on the biggest stage – the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
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