Mdina Cup 2024/25

The Mdina Cup is a men’s international Twenty20 cricket tournament organized by the European Cricket Network, a private pan-European body registered in Munich. Inaugurated in July 2023, it serves as a premier regional series for European Associate members of the International Cricket Council. Unlike the defunct European Cricket Championship, which followed a 50-over divisional structure, this competition operates under a different format and governance model. It is distinct from the European Cricket League, which focuses on club-level T10 matches rather than national team contests.

Matches played within the Mdina Cup are designated as T20 Internationals, granting participating nations ICC ranking points under rules established since January 1, 2019. The tournament typically employs a tri-series format involving three national teams, such as Belgium, France, and Malta, with occasional inclusion of Portugal or Luxembourg. The structure consists of a double round-robin group stage followed by a single-match final between the top two teams. Host nations rotate among participants, primarily in Western Europe. For example, the 2024 edition was hosted in France, while the 2025 edition took place in Belgium.

Belgium has emerged as the dominant force in recent history, winning both the 2024 and 2025 editions. In 2024, they defeated France in the final via the DLS method due to rain. The previous year, they secured victory over Portugal by 44 runs. France won the inaugural 2023 edition hosted in Malta. Individual performances include Kamran Ahmadzai of France leading run-scorers in 2024 with 117 runs, while Dawood Ahmadzai took nine wickets in the same campaign.

Key distinctions: The Mdina Cup differs from other European competitions through its T20 format, private organization, and focus on Associate members. It provides a competitive platform for emerging cricket nations in Europe, offering valuable international experience and ranking opportunities. The tournament's growing prominence reflects increasing interest in cricket across continental Europe.