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KABUL (SW): Afghanistan is set to join seven other international cricket teams with T20I status to take part in a round-robin tournament planned for the start of the New Year.
Although a 2018 World T20 is yet to be confirmed by the ICC, multiple sources have told ESPNcricinfo that this tournament is being viewed as a strong signal that the 2018 World T20 will be approved. The tournament would also be separate from a possible World T20 Qualifier involving other Associates advancing out of their regional tournaments that could be held later in 2017 or early 2018 pending ICC approval of a World T20 in 2018.
According to the report, in addition to the top six Associates with dual ODI and T20I status – Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland, Hong Kong, UAE, Papua New Guinea – the two other participating countries are Netherlands and Oman, who each secured T20I status by qualifying for the 2016 World T20 in India.
The tournament is tentatively scheduled for January 6 to 20 at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
For Afghanistan, Scotland, Netherlands, and Oman, this would be their first T20Is since the 2016 World T20 in March.
ENDS
