Icc Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier will take place in Zimbabwe. The top two teams will advance to compete in this international cricket tournament and advance towards qualifying for its main competition, set for 2026.

Twenty20 cricket has transformed the sport, drawing new audiences into it through rules that emphasize hitting and scoring.

Events like the Icc Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier highlight this fast-paced format, giving emerging teams a platform to compete at the highest level. Since its introduction, it has become one of the world’s most beloved forms.

Group A

Rwanda is hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, with two teams from each group qualifying to participate in 2026 tournament.

As part of a new pathway leading up to it which includes regional qualifiers across Europe, Asia and Africa – each winner of one will join ten best-ranked nations from last men’s T20 World Cup plus hosts who automatically qualify.

Namibia are considered among the frontrunners in this tournament. Led by Gerhard Erasmus and featuring many veteran players such as Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Ruben Trumpelmann in its squad, Namibia will hope to replicate their form from last time when they were defeated in the final against Zimbabwe.

Namibia have strengthened their squad by recruiting Fallou Thorpe, Johnson Nyambo and Mohamed Salim; all three will make their T20 international debut.

Namibia will face stiff opposition in Zimbabwe, who also hope to qualify for the upcoming tournament. Zimbabwe finished second in Africa sub-regional qualifier behind Kenya and Madagascar on points table; their strong core of players should help overcome any early-season troubles they encounter.

Kenya and Madagascar meet in Group A match of note, each eager to secure qualification for the 2026 tournament and looking for their first victory of this competition.

Depending on who wins this game, their rankings could change considerably, creating an intriguing competition between two in-form sides.

Nepal will also be an exciting team to watch in Group A after qualifying via winning the Americas Regional Qualifier.

In two gripping contests with UAE and Qatar respectively, Nepal won by one run and five respectively; Rohit Paudel (23) being an essential piece in their victory. Rohit will be captained by Dipendra Singh Airee.

On 4 October, the final of the Icc Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier will take place at Kigali National Stadium in Rwanda.

Fans can tune into FanCode live to follow all of the action – as well as highlights, replays and exclusive coverage from this thrilling tournament!

Group B

Starting September 26, the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier gets underway with eight teams participating.

Group A features Namibia, Kenya and Malawi while Uganda, Botswana Tanzania and hosts Zimbabwe fill out Group B’s lineup. Here is a glimpse at each squad!

Australia are hoping to reach the final for the first time since their win over New Zealand in 2021 tournament, led by Mitchell Marsh.

Australia boast a variety of explosive batsmen such as Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis; leg-spinner Adam Zampa will provide leg spin while paceman Xavier Bartlett and leg spinner Pat Cummins (back injury) and Josh Hazlewood (hamstring and Achilles injuries) will also play key roles.

Ireland are hoping to reach the semi-finals for the first time ever under Paul Stirling as captain, having appeared at every previous T20 World Cup but failing to progress beyond group stages.

Ireland have plenty of experience, with spinners George Dockrell and Matthew Humphreys making waves for the national side and wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker being two key players worth keeping an eye out for as well as Matthew Little being among many to keep an eye on during competition.

Sri Lanka have found themselves struggling with their bat, yet will find encouragement in Dasun Shanaka’s return.

A player known to excel under pressure and score hundreds in Ashes Tests and World Cup finals; among his big hitters include Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis who must produce results if Sri Lanka are to reach knockout stage competition.

Oman are considered underdogs of this group, having only won one of seven T20 World Cup qualifiers so far.

But they can call upon a wealth of experienced bowlers, with 44-year-old Aamir Kaleem standing out amongst them as an intriguing option.

Additionally, Nadeem Khan made 11 wickets during their qualification campaign and may prove crucial to Omanis success in qualifying.

Group C

Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier Group D features two teams with rich histories at this tournament: England are two-time champions and looking for another title while Namibia aim to follow in their African rival’s footsteps and reach the last eight.

West Indies have made steady progress through to the knockout stages of T20 World Cups since 2010, but this squad features many players capable of playing big innings and excelling under pressure.

Players like captain Shai Hope, Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer all possessing potential to propel them towards victory; yet maintaining consistency will be their biggest test.

Zimbabwe will look to build on their victory in their opening match of their three-match series against Namibia and with Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton returning after an outstanding qualifying tournament performance, there is every reason to believe they could be formidable opponents for India and Sri Lanka.

Namibia will enter their match confident after beating Uganda at the Africa Regional Qualifier thanks to JJ Smit’s superb all-round performance, scoring an outstanding 61 before taking three wickets with his bowling.

Nine members from that game will return, including Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton who earned Man of the Match accolade in their qualifier win.

England are among the favourites to reach the last eight and will be strengthened further with Adil Rashid joining their ranks as all-rounder and attacking threat with both bat and ball, who has taken key wickets during middle overs play for Yorkshire.

All four groups will consist of six matches each and the top two teams from each will advance to the Super 8s. Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium will host the semi-final, while Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium will stage the final.

Matches will take place over three days; should it rain, the DLS method will be employed to decide the victor.

Group D

Group D of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier presents no previous champion, yet remains difficult for teams to crack.

South Africa and New Zealand will both look to avenge their 2024 final defeat, while Afghanistan could surprise with their talent if they hit form. With plenty of debutants as well as a powerful middle order ensuring plenty of excitement!

United Arab Emirates have seen their form improve of late, highlighted by an impressive victory against Namibia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Championship Americas Regional Qualifier.

That win came despite missing several regulars such as captain Rohit Sharma who will lead their charge at the ICC Men’s T20 Africa Qualifier later in May. His absence could allow younger players like Siddharth Shah and Shivam Sharma to make their T20 World Cup debuts for UAE who hope to make it out of group stage for the first time ever in their history.

Zimbabwe are one of the favourites to advance from Group C, boasting star batsmen such as Peter Moor who can make an immediate impact in T20 cricket, along with all-rounders Sean Williams and Hamilton Masakadza forming key elements in the middle order. Zimbabwe have several spinners available including experienced professional Mohammad Nabi as well as teenage spinner Yuvraj Samra who may provide assistance.

Namibia are another team on the rise, as evidenced by their win against Zimbabwe at the ICC Men’s T20 Championship Americas Regional Qualifier. Namibia’s T20 form has been propelled forward thanks to veteran campaigners Petrus van der Westhuisen and Darren Broom as well as talented youngsters such as paceman Heino Kuhn and spinner Daniel Norcross.

Beginning on 12 February and running up until the conclusion of group stage on 20 February, each group will play three matches per day with two taking place between 09:30 and 13:30 BST.

Following this round, Super 8s begin and one or two games per day will continue through to final four on 4 and 5 March with full commentary across BBC Sounds, BBC Sport website and app for each match played.