Fiji to host largest-ever Women’s T20 EAP Qualifier, Oman to stage high-stakes combined Men’s Qualifier
DUBAI, UAE – July 2025 – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released full match schedules for the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) and Asia regional qualifiers for the ICC Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups, with Fiji and Oman set to host key qualifying events in the second half of 2025.
These pathway events will determine which teams from the two rapidly developing regions will earn spots in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.
Fiji to host historic ICC Women’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier
The largest ICC Women’s Qualifier ever held in the EAP region will take place in Suva, Fiji from 9–15 September 2025. Eight teams will participate: Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Japan, Samoa, Cook Islands, and Philippines.
Teams will be split into two groups of four, followed by semi-finals and placement matches. The winner of the tournament will progress to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier.
Sitiveni Rokoro, Chief Executive of Cricket Fiji: “This is a major milestone—not only is it our first ICC Women’s pathway event, but it’s also the largest ever held in the East Asia-Pacific region. A special welcome to the Philippines team on their ICC debut.”
Women’s EAP Qualifier Match Dates (all times local, Albert Park, Suva):
- 9 Sept: Fiji v Cook Islands, PNG v Japan (AM); Indonesia v Vanuatu, Samoa v Philippines (PM)
- 10 Sept: Japan v Samoa, Fiji v Indonesia (AM); PNG v Philippines, Cook Islands v Vanuatu (PM)
- 12 Sept: Cook Islands v Indonesia, Philippines v Japan (AM); Fiji v Vanuatu, Samoa v PNG (PM)
- 13 Sept: Placement SFs: A3 v B4, B3 v A4 (AM); SF1: A1 v B2, SF2: B1 v A2 (PM)
- 15 Sept: 5th/6th Place (AM); 3rd/4th Place (AM); Final and 7th/8th Place (PM)
All matches will be streamed live on ICC.tv.
Oman to host ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier
From 8–17 October 2025, Oman will host a combined qualifier featuring nine teams from both Asia and the EAP region. Competing nations include UAE, Malaysia, Qatar, Nepal, Kuwait, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and hosts Oman.
Three World Cup berths are on the line, with teams first competing in group stages, followed by a Super Six phase. The top three finishers will qualify for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, hosted in India and Sri Lanka.
Alkesh Joshi, Oman Cricket Treasurer: “We want this to be a celebration of associate cricket. Entry to all matches at the Oman Cricket Academy will be free, and we invite fans to support the event.”
Men’s Asia & EAP Qualifier Match Schedule:
Group Stage
- 8 Oct: Oman v Samoa (10:00AM), UAE v Qatar (2:30PM), Nepal v Kuwait (7:00PM)
- 9 Oct: Malaysia v Qatar (10:00AM), Kuwait v Japan (2:30PM), PNG v Samoa (7:00PM)
- 10 Oct: UAE v Malaysia (10:00AM), Nepal v Japan (2:30PM), Oman v PNG (7:00PM)
Super Six Stage
- 12 Oct: G3Q1 v G1Q2 (10:00AM), G1Q1 v G2Q1 (2:30PM), G3Q2 v G2Q2 (7:00PM)
- 13 Oct: G3Q1 v G1Q1 (2:30PM), G2Q1 v G1Q2 (7:00PM)
- 15 Oct: G2Q2 v G1Q2 (10:00AM), G3Q2 v G1Q1 (2:30PM), G3Q1 v G2Q1 (7:00PM)
- 16 Oct: G1Q1 v G2Q2 (2:30PM), G1Q2 v G3Q2 (7:00PM)
- 17 Oct: G2Q2 v G3Q1 (10:00AM), G3Q2 v G2Q1 (2:30PM)
All matches will be live on ICC.tv from the Oman Cricket Academy in Al Amerat.
Pathway events reflect cricket’s global expansion
The Women’s and Men’s pathway events underscore the ICC’s commitment to global growth, offering associate nations a meaningful route to the world stage and reflecting the game’s expanding presence across Asia and the Pacific.
