Photo Credit: ICC
- Malaysia host the Asia Qualifier B from 26 July to 1 August 2023
- The captains’ image can be located here
- Fixtures for the Asia Qualifier B tournament can be found on the ICC website here
- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 pathway can be downloaded here
Bayumeas Oval will be the venue for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B tournament from 26 July to 1 August. The home team, Malaysia, take on Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Thailand on the journey to the Asia regional final in Nepal which will begin in October this year, where direct qualification to the biggest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ever in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA), is at stake.
Ten matches will be played by the five teams over seven days for this opportunity of a lifetime.
Bhutan captain, Suprit Pradhan said: “My team and I are very much excited to be part of an ICC event after a long gap. More than excitement, we feel privileged and pride in representing Bhutan. I’m very confident in the boys we have for this tour. We came here to play good cricket and win all the matches.
“The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is a global event, and it would be a dream come true to have qualified for that. Realistically, for now, our focus is to play good cricket int eh Asia Qualifier B and move to the final round.”
China captain, Wang Qi said: “We have been looking forward to this tournament for a long time. We will try our best to win as many matches as possible. We’re a young team and many players are playing in the World Cup Qualifier B for the first time, and this is also my first time as team captain. We may have less experience, but we don’t fear any team.
“Qualifying for the T20 World Cup in the end would be history making for my team and it will mean more people will pay attention to cricket in my country, more people knowing cricket and more people loving cricket.”
Malaysia captain, Ahmad Faiz said: “The excitement level will be very high for the qualifier to the regional final. The team has invested much effort, time, and training to reach this stage, and the regional final is a crucial step toward qualifying for bigger tournaments like the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“Qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 would be a tremendous achievement for the team. The T20 World Cup is indeed a prestigious and highly competitive tournament, featuring the best cricketing nations from around the world. Our participation in such a global event brings exposure, recognition, and an opportunity for us to showcase our skills on a grand stage.
“On a bigger scale it would also boost the development of cricket in Malaysia and inspire the next generation of players. The sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with qualifying is doubtless, immeasurable for the team and the cricketing community of Malaysia.”
Myanmar captain, Thu Ya Aung said: The team is very excited to play in their first game of this tournament, we have worked hard for the last 15 days with our newly appointed coach, Mr. Kishor Waghela and assistant coach, Michael sir. We have paid attention to not only our batting, bowling and fielding, but also the temperament we want to have in the matches.
“This is the most important tournament for our team and we want to do well and make our country proud. We will enter this year’s tournament with renewed confidence and focus. We are united and want to win and perform as a team.
“In this tournament, all the teams are good and will work hard to win a place in the final, but at the same time we are also in that race and will fight to the last ball to bring the result to our side.
“We want to eventually qualify for the T20 World Cup in 2024 and make our management who gave us this opportunity and our country proud of this team. We may not have control of the end result, but we will make sure that we enter the field with a proper mindset and good approach for this tournament. We wish the very best to all the teams participating as well.”
Thailand captain, Akshay Kumar Palakdhari Yadav said: “The team is very excited and ready to compete in the tournament. Everybody’s really worked hard for the past few months to prepare for this tournament and ready to express and put in their best efforts in the games. It will be a good contest to look forward to. We are here to win the tournament and I am sure with all the preparation that we have done, and the quality of players that our team has, we will be able to achieve our aim.
“It will be a dream come true for our team and everybody who is associated with it to qualify for the T20 World Cup in 2024. It is something that all elite cricketers dream of – playing at the highest level. It would boost our team morale and make us feel more confident in the process that we follow and also, back in Thailand, it would be an inspiration for all the up-and-coming cricketers to work harder and for more people to take up the sport in future.”
ICC Asia Regional Development Manager, Aminul Ismal said: “The nations competing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Finals have earned their spot through hard work and dedication and are now preparing rigorously for the upcoming tournament. With the victors securing a direct place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the stakes are high, and the level of competition is expected to be intense.
“As we approach the event’s commencement, there is no doubt that fans will be treated to some exceptional cricket matches.”
The participating squads are as follows:
Bhutan: Suprit Pradhan, Namgay Thinley, Dawa Dawa, Tenzin Wangchuk, Gakul Kumar Ghalley, Tenjin Rabgey, Sherab Loday, Sonam Yeshey, Sonam Chophel, Kishen Ghalley, Sanjog Chhetri, Tashi Phuntsho, Karma Dorji, Anand Mongar.
China: Deng Jinqi, Zong Yuechao, Tian Senqun, Zhao Tianle, Ma Qiancheng, Zhuang Zelin, Wei Guolei, Wang Qi, Luo Shilin, Zou Kui, Chen Zhuoyue, Xie Kunkun, Yin Chenhao, Wang Liuyang.
Malaysia: Ahamad Faiz Mohammad Noor, Virandeep Singh Jagjit Singh, Syed Aziz Syed Mubarak, Vijay Unni Suresh Unni, Muhammad Amir Azim Abd Shukor, Rizwan Haider, Khizar Hayat Durrani, Muhammad Akram Abd Malek, Muhammad Aiman Zaquan Muhammad Ridzuan, Ainool Hafizs MD Yatim, Sharveen Surendran, Paandeep Singh Jagjit Singh, Ahmad Zubaidi Zulkifli, Syazrul Ezat Idrus.
Myanmar: Thu Ya Aung, Ye Naing Tun, Htet Lin Aung, Htet Lin Oo, Khin Aye, Aung Ko Ko, Ko Ko Lin Thu, Nay Lin Htun, Kaung Htet Kyaw, Pyae Phyo Wai, Nyein Cham Soe, Myat Thu Aung, Paing Danu, Swann Htet Ko Ko.
Thailand: Sorawat Desungnoen, Satarut Rungrueang, Akshay Kumar Palakdhari Yadav, Narawit Nuntarach, Kamron Senamontree, Jandre Coetzee, Chaloemwong Chatpaisan, Robert Vinay Raina, Chanchai Pengkumta, Sarawut Maliwan, Nopphon Senamontree, Khanitsorn Namchaikul, Yodsak Saranonnakkun, Phiriy Aphong Suanchuai.
Regional Finals 2023
Europe (2 qualifying teams)
20-28 July 2023 – Scotland
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Scotland.
East Asia Pacific (1 qualifying team)
22-29 July 2023 – Papua New Guinea
Japan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Vanuatu.
Americas (1 qualifying team)
30 September-7 October 2023 – Bermuda
Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, Panama.
Africa (2 qualifying teams)
20 November – 1 December 2023 – Namibia
Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
Asia (2 qualifying teams)
30 October – 9 November – Nepal
TBC
