Bangladesh to be back in T20 World Cup 2028 [Source: AFP, X]In a significant development, the ICC confirmed twelve teams, including Bangladesh, for the T20 World Cup 2028 after all Super 8 slots were filled in the current edition of the tournament. On Wednesday, February 18, the Super 8 fixtures of the T20 World Cup 2026 were finalised, with Pakistan advancing to the second round as the final team from group A. The ICC, in its official press release, thus confirmed twelve teams, including those who have qualified for the Super 8 stage, for the 2028 edition of the tournament. Interestingly, Bangladesh have also been allotted a slot for the next T20 World Cup after missing the ongoing one due to a logistical deadlock. ICC stamps Bangladesh's comeback in T20 World Cup 2028Bangladesh were snubbed from the T20 World Cup 2026 after their government refused to allow the players to participate in the tournament due to the geopolitical tussle with India. Despite having all their group-stage matches in India, the Bangladesh government urged the ICC to shift the games to Sri Lanka, citing security issues in Indian soil. However, as the tournament was about to kick off, the ICC dismissed Bangladesh's demand and eventually replaced them with Scotland in group C. Despite showing promise, Richie Berrington and his troops suffered a group-stage exit after managing a solitary win over Italy across four matches. But the Tigers are set to make a comeback in the next T20 World Cup, thanks to their current position in the ICC T20I rankings. Apart from co-hosts Australia and New Zealand and the Super 8 teams, the remaining three of the twelve slots have been filled based on the ICC rankings. As Bangladesh are placed ninth and won't be displaced from their position before the cut-off date of March 9, the day after the T20 World Cup 2026 final, they have confirmed their berth in the next edition of the competition. A similar logic applies to Afghanistan (10th) and Ireland (12th), as these two teams will enter the 2028 edition of the T20 World Cup based on ICC rankings. Also read: India National Cricket Team To Visit Bangladesh For Bilaterals? BCB Speeds UpOther teams confirmed for T20 World Cup 2028 so farWhile India and Sri Lanka are the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2026, the 2028 edition of the marquee event will be played in Australia and New Zealand. So, despite suffering a group-stage elimination this year, Australia secured a direct qualification for the next T20 World Cup as the co-hosts. A similar logic applies to New Zealand, too, although the BlackCaps have also qualified for the Super 8 stage. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, South Africa, England and the West Indies filled seven out of twenty slots for the T20 World Cup 2028, having entered the Super 8 stage in the ongoing competition. Thus, the ICC has confirmed 12 teams for the next edition of the competition: Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Ireland. The remaining eight out of twenty slots will be determined through regional qualification tournaments. Also read: Mohammad Amir Compares Abhishek Sharma To This Pakistani Player After 3 Ducks
