ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier 2025/26

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier operates as the primary qualification pathway for Asian national teams seeking to reach the global tournament. Organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) under the auspices of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the competition ensures that the region’s top sides earn spots in the subsequent World Cup Global Qualifier. While the ACC Women's T20 Championship has functioned as a de facto regional title since 2004, this specific qualifier was established under its current branding in 2019 to formalise the route to the World Cup. The format has evolved to accommodate growing participation. The latest edition featured nine teams split into three groups of three, with the leading side from each section advancing to a Super Three round-robin stage. The top two finishers in that final phase secure their tickets to the global event. In the 2025 cycle, Thailand and Nepal achieved this target, demonstrating the competitive depth within the region. Historically, Thailand stands as the most successful team, having claimed the ACC Women's T20 Championship eleven times between 2004 and 2017, alongside victories in the 2019 Asia Qualifier. Hong Kong has also been a dominant force, winning the ACC Championship three consecutive times in the late 2000s. More recently, Bhutan secured the ICC Asia Qualifier in 2021, while Nepal claimed the title in 2024. Unlike domestic leagues, there is no traditional promotion or relegation structure. Participation is determined by invitation based on ICC and ACC status, bringing together nations such as Bahrain, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Nepal. The key distinction from the ACC Championship is that the ICC Asia Qualifier serves as the mandatory pathway for World Cup qualification, whereas the regional title may or may not carry direct spots depending on the cycle's regulations. This ensures that the winner of the global qualifier is determined through a dedicated contest rather than relying solely on regional performance.