Seven teams are competing in the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier 2026: Nepal, Malaysia, China, Oman, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bahrain.
The qualifier runs from 31 May to 9 June 2026 at the Singapore National Cricket Ground (Padang).
Four sides will earn the final spots at the Asian Games 2026 main cricket event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Notably, hosts Japan and the five ICC Full Members from Asia have already booked direct entries.
All 7 Teams in the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier 2026
Here is a quick snapshot of every team taking part. Furthermore, each squad reflects the rising depth of associate cricket across Asia.
| Teams | Groups | Cricket Body | ICC Status | Headline Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | A | Cricket Association of Nepal | Associate (ODI status) | Rohit Paudel |
| Malaysia | A | Malaysian Cricket Association | Associate | Syed Aziz (recent T20I captain) |
| China | A | Chinese Cricket Association | Associate (newer side) | Squad-led |
| Oman | B | Oman Cricket | Associate (ODI status) | Jatinder Singh |
| Hong Kong, China | B | Cricket Hong Kong, China | Associate | Nizakat Khan |
| Singapore | B | Singapore Cricket Association | Associate (hosts) | Squad-led |
| Bahrain | B | Bahrain Cricket Federation | Associate (debut) | Squad-led |
1. Nepal: The Strongest Side on Paper
Nepal arrive as the highest-profile associate nation in the qualifier. The team is captained by Rohit Paudel and is fresh off a 2026 T20 World Cup appearance in the West Indies and USA.
Moreover, Nepal earned ODI status back in 2018 and beat West Indies 2-1 in a three-match T20I series in 2025.
Their core includes Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Sompal Kami, and Aasif Sheikh.
Additionally, the side won the ACC Men’s Premier Cup 2023 to qualify for their first Asia Cup. Therefore, expect Paudel’s men to enter as the Group A favourites.
2. Malaysia: Hosts of the Region
Malaysia qualified through strong regional form. Specifically, they won the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Sub-regional Qualifier A on home soil at the Bayuemas Oval, finishing ahead of Kuwait
Furthermore, all-rounder Syed Aziz captained the side in that tournament and finished as the leading run-scorer with 216 runs. Virandeep Singh and Ainool Hafizs Mohamed Rumi add experience to the batting unit.
Notably, Malaysia kicks off their campaign against China on 2 June 2026 at the Padang in Singapore.
3. China: The Wildcard
China is the developing side in Group A and remains the wildcard of the entire qualifier. T20I cricket in China is still in its early years, and exposure to top associate sides is limited.
However, the team gets a serious tournament test against Nepal and Malaysia. As a result, fans should expect a steep learning curve rather than instant upsets. Their goal here is simply growth.
4. Oman: The Decorated Qualifier Side
Oman is captained by Jatinder Singh and coached by Duleep Mendis. The team is ranked 20th in the ICC T20I rankings and holds ODI status since 2014.
Furthermore, Oman are champions of the 2023 T20 World Cup Qualifier and have featured in four T20 World Cups, with their last appearance coming in 2024. They have played 114 T20Is in total to date.
Importantly, Oman opened the qualifier with a 7-run DLS-method win over Singapore on 1 June 2026, instantly making them the team to beat in Group B.
5. Hong Kong, China: Asia Cup Veterans
Hong Kong, China is led by skipper Nizakat Khan with all-rounder Yasim Murtaza as vice-captain. The side recently crossed 2,000 career T20I runs for Nizakat himself.
Moreover, Hong Kong won the 2022 Asia Cup Qualifier to reach the main Asia Cup alongside India and Pakistan. Their batting depth runs through Babar Hayat, Kinchit Shah and Aizaz Khan.
Specifically, Hong Kong started this qualifier with an 8-wicket thrashing of Bahrain at the Padang on 1 June 2026, chasing 174 inside 16 overs.
6. Singapore: The Home Team
Singapore enters this tournament with home advantage at the historic Padang ground. Recent leadership has come from Amjad Mahboob and Manpreet Singh, with Aritra Dutta and Janak Prakash among their reliable top-order names.
However, the hosts faltered in their opener, losing to Oman by 7 runs via the DLS method on 1 June 2026. Consequently, every remaining group game is now a must-win.
Additionally, Singapore have a long-running rivalry with Malaysia in the Stan Nagaiah Trophy, which adds extra spice to this regional event.
7. Bahrain: The Newcomers
Bahrain named a 14-player squad for their first-ever appearance at the Asian Games qualifier, confirmed by the Bahrain Cricket Federation.
Notably, six players made their T20I debuts in the opening match against Hong Kong: Mohammad Hamza, Muhammad Adil Khan, Abdulla Pervaiz, Abid Ullah Shah, Numan Yousuf and Sameer Yousuf.
As a result, Bahrain represent the most inexperienced side at the qualifier. Yet their selection itself signals cricket’s expanding Asian footprint.
Group Composition: How the 7 Teams Are Split
The seven nations are divided into two unequal groups. Specifically, Group A has three teams while Group B has four.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Nepal | Oman |
| Malaysia | Hong Kong, China |
| China | Singapore |
| — | Bahrain |
Format & Qualification Path Explained
Four teams from this qualifier will advance to the Asian Games 2026 main cricket event at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi prefecture, Japan.
First, the top two teams from each group will reach the semi-finals. Furthermore, both semi-final winners qualify automatically. Additionally, the winner and loser of the 3rd-place playoff also qualify.
In total, the four qualifier sides will join six pre-qualified nations: hosts Japan, plus ICC Full Members Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Notably, India are the reigning Asian Games cricket gold medallists, having won at Hangzhou 2023 in both the men’s and women’s events.
Why This Qualifier Matters
Above all, every match carries official T20I status with ICC ranking points at stake. As a result, even the smaller cricketing nations can climb the ladder regardless of qualification.
Moreover, the Asian Games event itself is widely seen as a stepping stone to cricket’s Olympic future, with Los Angeles 2028 already confirmed to feature T20 cricket.
Teams to Watch in the Qualifier
Three names stand out across the seven-team field. Furthermore, each brings a different reason to tune in.
Nepal carries the loudest fan base in associate cricket and the form to back it. Therefore, they are favourites to top Group A.
Oman enters as the most ICC-experienced side, with the only ODI status in Group B and a recent series against Australia in February 2026.
Hong Kong, China has the experienced Nizakat Khan leading a unit that knows how to win knockout games, having lifted both the 2022 Asia Cup Qualifier and the 2018 edition.
Conclusion: 7 Teams Set for the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier 2026
The Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier 2026 gives seven Asian nations a clear shot at the continental stage.
Furthermore, the mix of veterans like Nepal and Oman with newcomers like Bahrain and China makes for an unpredictable nine-day window. As a result, expect upsets, debutants making their mark, and a sharp lift in associate cricket’s profile heading into the Aichi-Nagoya main event later this year.
