The countdown for the T20 World Cup in Australia has started with all teams in the first-round matches finalised. Zimbabwe and the Netherlands filled the last two places for the T20 showpiece event by winning their qualifying tournament semi-finals in Bulawayo.
They will take part in another round of matches in Australia from where the top two from each first-round group will progress to the Super 12 stage.
In all, 16 teams will fight for the T20 crown less than a year after the 2021 edition in the UAE. This year's tournament will also see the UAE in the first round after Ahmed Raza’s side beat Nepal in the semi-final of the Qualifier in Oman to return to the big stage for the first time in seven years.
The pandemic-enforced changes in the World Cup calendar has meant two T20 World Cups inside 12 months, with the 50-over World Cup to be staged in India next year.