All Test-playing nations achieve automatic qualification to the tournament, with the remaining places filled by ICC associate member nations through a qualification tournament.
Qualification for the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 came from the results of the first cycle of the ICC World Cricket League - a 50-over format league for non-Test playing nations. The two finalists of the Division One tournament - Kenya and Scotland - qualified for the inaugural World Twenty20 tournament alongside the Test-playing nations. Qualification for subsequent tournaments, beginning with the 2009 event, is achieved through a special event using the twenty20 format.
A ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier was held in 2008 as qualifier for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and currently is the main qualification tournament for all the upcoming World Twenty20's tournaments. The ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2008 was played between 2 August and 5 August 2008 in Stormont, Belfast in Northern Ireland. The six competing teams were: Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, The Netherlands and Scotland, with the top three earning a place at the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England. The competition was won by Ireland and the Netherlands, who shared the trophy after rain forced the final to be abandoned without a ball bowled. Both teams qualified for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 finals in England. Due to the withdrawal of Zimbabwe from the competition, the two finalists were joined by third-placed Scotland.
The ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2010 was the largest so far, with eight competing teams. It was played in the United Arab Emirates from 9 to 13 February 2010 with the top two teams progressing to the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. The eight competing teams were: Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands, Scotland, UAE and the USA. Afghanistan qualified along with Ireland who were second.
