ESPN3 To Carry Qualifying Games Exclusively In U.S.

Beginning Thursday, ESPN3 will have exclusive coverage of six ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier Tournament matches in the U.S.  The tournament will be carried live from the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates, where the top two teams will advance to the ICC World Twenty20 Championship in Sri Lanka this Fall.

“ESPN3 is proud to be the exclusive network for the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier cricket matches in the U.S.,” added Damon Phillips, Vice President, ESPN3.  “Removing the traditional pay per view barrier to these live events and delivering them to 72 million households nationwide through the network is the best example of our mission to serve sports fans whenever and wherever they are.”

Sixteen teams have been competing in the qualifier since March 13, with the top three teams from the two eight-team groups – which include Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Namibia, Ireland and Scotland – advancing to this week’s tournament.  The groups include:

Group A: Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark, Nepal
Group B: Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy, USA

The six live matches will include the first qualifying final, first semifinal, preliminary final, second semifinal, second qualifying final and the overall event final.  The schedule: