The UAE have made great strides in recent years, including World Cup qualification for the recently concluded tournament.

Late fireworks from Najibullah Zadran and canny bowling from Sharafuddin Ashraf see Afghanistan cruise past the Netherlands

Scotland hammered UAE in a one sided affair to get their World T-20 Qualifying Tournament off to a flying start.

After a remarkable run at the last World T20, a mercurial side has to start from scratch

Kenya have fallen far sice the days of permanent ODI status, and face a tough road to recovery.

With Canada's international fortunes at a historical nadir, Rizwan Cheema leads a team with little to lose.

An ICC press release issued today talked proudly about how many are now playing cricket in their associate & affiliate members. Even if it’s true that the playing numbers are increasing, the opportunities for these players are – despite what the ICC are fond of saying – decreasing.

A surprise qualifier last time, nobody will be surprised by the Hong Kong side this time as they look for a second consecutive qualification.

Associates Cricket's perennial also-rans set their sights on a return to the global stage.

Rizwan Cheema stars for Canada at Goldenacre as they defeat Namibia by 74 runs.

Irish preparations hampered by the weather for the second day in a row

Under grey skies Scotland got off to a galloping start hitting some imperious shots all around the park.

Oman return to the World Twenty20 Qualifier after missing 2013 - but are very much outsiders for qualification.

20-run victory via DLS in rain-hit warm-up match

First warm-up match falls victim to the Irish summer

Nepal enter the World T20 Qualifier a far from settled side, low on confidence but high on ambition

William Porterfield signed off from Warwickshire on Friday night by batting with Brendan McCullum, certainly the most exciting and arguably the best Twenty20 batsman in the world at the moment.

Composure was the key difference between Canada, a veteran of four cricket world cups, and a team of players who were drawn from local Scottish leagues.

A North West Warriors select hosted the USA in Bready's second game on Monday and Bobby Rao's team provided a knocking good practice test, eventually going down to a final ball defeat.

With their cricket board under ICC suspension, the USA will look to ignore the administration crisis back at home.

Afghanistan beat Jersey by 8 wickets after bowling them out for 48 at Myreside.

Papua New Guinea will be looking to improve on their 8th place finish in the last two qualifiers and this time reach the World Twenty20.

After a shaky start Scotland cruised to a comfortable six wicket win over Namibia in their opening warm up match.

Afghanistan come into the World Twenty20 Qualifier hoping to regain the title they last won in 2010.

Hong Kong sneak past the Netherlands by 9 runs in a morning warm-up match.

PNG won a rain affected T20 WCQ warm-up game against Kenya at Bready - 9 runs ahead on DLS when play was abandoned following a torrential downpour.

REJUVENATED Scotland enter the tournament on the back of an excellent T20 series win away in Ireland last month - a victory which earmarks them as serious contenders for the title.

THE county professionals flew into Belfast yesterday morning to complete Ireland’s 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 qualifiers, being held on home soil for the next three weeks.

Next week, at the World T20 qualifying tournament to be held in Ireland and Scotland, Mooney wants to wear another strip of fabric – a black armband to signify the death of Associate cricket.

IRELAND will still be the team to beat despite recent blips with their bowling attack.

To finish above Italy and Denmark is no mean achievement, and they will have their eyes on further glory.

The ICC has announced the match officials for the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.