Former champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have failed to qualify directly for T20 World Cup (WC) 2020’s Super 12 stage.
International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the list of qualified teams for sixth T20 World Cup that will be held in Australia. The top ten-ranked teams of T20I rankings have qualified directly for the event. Of them, the top eight teams have earned direct qualification after deadline (December 31, 2018) passed.
Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Windies and Afghanistan have qualifed directly for the Super 12s. Afghanistan, previously failed to qualify directly in 2014 and 2016, have made into the main stage for the first time since the tournament format was changed. Afghanistan are ranked eighth with 92 points, which is five more than no.9 Sri Lanka’s 87. Bangladesh are languishing at number ten with 77 points. Zimbabwe (55) and Ireland (34), placed 12th and 17th respectively, failed direct qualification. Pakistan are topping the rankings with 138 points.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to compete with six other qualifiers (from ICC T20 WC Qualifiers) in the group stage. Top four teams of group stage will play in the Super 12s.
Sri Lanka have been in three finals of T20 World Cup (2009, 2012 and 2014). They claimed the championship title by beating India in Dhaka in the finals of 2014.
Bangladesh had to play group stage in 2014 and 2016. They made into the Super 10 stage on both occasions but could not manage a single win.
The T20 WC in Australia will be held from October 18 while the Super 12 stage will start on October 26. The will be played on November 15.
