Afghanistan cricket has directly qualified for T20 World Cup to be held in Australia 2020, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Tuesday.
In line with the qualification criteria set for the tournament, Australia and the nine other top sides have ensured direct qualification.
The top eight make it straight to the Super-12 stage while the remaining two will play in the group stage along with six other teams that will make it through from the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2019.
Four teams from the group stage would advance to the Super 12s, a statement from ICC said. Of the top 10 sides, Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the West Indies and Afghanistan will start their campaign directly in in the Super 12s.
Former champions and three-time finalists Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will have to contend with the other six qualifiers in the group stage of the tournament, which will be held from October 18 to November 15, 2020.
Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga, disappointed at the 2014 champions not making it to the Super 12s, is confident of the team doing well in the tournament.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan indicated that recent performances had given them belief and they would prepare well for the challenge.
“Having played three finals and winning once, it is natural that everyone expected us to finish in the top-eight but we have to take the opportunity in the extra matches of the group stage and prepare well for the knock-out matches.
“We have some fine players in the ranks and it is only a matter of doing our best when the time comes. We look forward to challenges coming our way as we prepare for the big event.”