The COVID-19 outburst has either led to the postponement or cancellation of a number of sporting events around the globe. To add to this tally are the three T20 World Cup sub-regional Europe Qualifiers for the 2022 edition.
Finland was slated to host the Sub Regional Europe A and B qualifiers next month which would have been their first ICC event.
The Europe B Qualifier was scheduled to take place between June 30 and July 5 with hosts, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Luxembourg and Sweden being a part of it.
The A qualifier had Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Israel, Italy, Malta, Norway, Spain and was scheduled to begin on July 13.
Belgium was to host Europe C qualifier between July 5 and 10 which included Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Isle of Man, Portugal, Romania, Serbia.
The ICC Head of Events said in a statement that the three T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifiers had to be cancelled.
“We have unfortunately had to cancel the three T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifiers due to start next month as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said in a statement.
“…due to COVID-19 restrictions and the short timelines that the European season provides to allow us to progress with the next step in the pathway, there has been no other option than to cancel.”
Now, Italy, Germany, and Denmark will qualify from the Europe sub-regional qualifiers A, B and C respectively based on their position in the ICC T20I Rankings as of April 30, 2020.
Apart from this, the T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier which was scheduled to be hosted in Canada between July 17 and 23 has been postponed due to the travel restrictions. The tournament included Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Panama and the USA.
The Asia B Qualifier had to take place between July 11 and 17 but has been postponed. Bhutan, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Hong Kong and Thailand are the teams that had to feature in these fixtures.
Though, it has now been rescheduled and will take place between November 9 and 15 in Malaysia. The Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier has also been rescheduled and will be played between November 22-28 in Malaysia.