ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier (United Arab Emirates) 2022/23

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier, currently branded as the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier, serves as the final qualification tournament for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the event operates as the decisive step for associate and affiliate members to compete on the global stage, sitting directly below the main World Cup in the cricketing pyramid. The tournament began in 2013, following a period where qualification relied on rankings or regional events without a standalone global qualifier. The format has evolved significantly since its inception. The inaugural 2013 edition featured a group stage with shared titles, while subsequent tournaments have typically included eight to ten teams. The 2024 Global Qualifier, held in Abu Dhabi, utilized two groups of five teams each, with the winners advancing to the final. Sri Lanka claimed victory in that edition, defeating Scotland by 68 runs to secure their place in the 2024 World Cup. Looking ahead, the 2026 edition scheduled for Nepal will feature ten teams in a Super Six stage, with the top four finishing positions earning World Cup spots. Ireland holds the record for the most titles with three wins, although the 2011 edition was technically a qualifier for the 2012 World Cup. Bangladesh also achieved success in both 2019 and 2022. Unlike regional qualifiers which act as preliminary stages, this competition functions as the exclusive gateway for non-Test nations. There is no formal relegation to regional qualifiers; instead, teams return to their regional circuits based on ICC rankings. The tournament has undergone name changes from 'Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier' to reflect its expanded scope and the inclusion of more teams in the World Cup. It stands as the definitive pathway for associate nations to reach the pinnacle of women's Twenty20 cricket.