T20 World Cup 2026: The ICC Men's T20 World Cup has entered a decisive phase, with the top teams from each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. India and Pakistan progressed from Group A, while Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka qualified from Group B. West Indies and England advanced from Group C. From Group D, South Africa and New Zealand remain strong contenders for a semi-final berth.

Teams that exited the tournament include the USA, Netherlands and Namibia from Group A; Australia, Ireland and Oman from Group B; Scotland, Italy and Nepal from Group C; and Afghanistan, UAE and Canada from Group D.

Amid this competitive landscape, Netherlands cricketer Bas de Leede has made notable remarks regarding opportunities for Associate nations. De Leede urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider organizing triangular series or, at minimum, warm-up fixtures against leading cricketing nations such as India and Australia.

Speaking about the limited exposure Associate teams receive, De Leede said that such sides often compete against top-tier opponents only during ICC events. He emphasized that regular matches against stronger teams would significantly enhance their competitiveness and development.

Bas de Leede, son of former Netherlands international Tim de Leede, is currently representing the Dutch side in the tournament. The Netherlands were eliminated following their final group-stage encounter against India.

Acknowledging the demanding international calendar, De Leede admitted that leading cricketing nations face packed schedules due to bilateral series and global T20 leagues. However, he stressed that even occasional warm-up matches against top-ranked teams would greatly benefit Associate nations.

He concluded that competing in major ICC tournaments alone is insufficient for sustained growth, and more frequent exposure to elite opposition is essential for the progress of emerging cricketing nations.