With the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup qualifiers fast approaching, Bermuda faces an uphill battle as they prepare to compete against higher-ranked and more experienced teams in the Americas Regional Final. An analysis by www.islandstats.com reveals a significant disparity in match preparation between Bermuda and its North American rivals.
As of February 19th, 2025, USA sits at 18th in the world rankings, having played 31 Twenty20 matches since January 2024. Canada, ranked 21st, has played 28 matches during the same period. In contrast, Bermuda, despite being crowned champions of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Americas Qualifier, is ranked 29th and has played only 19 matches.
The disparity is even more pronounced when compared to the other teams that have advanced to the Regional Final. Cayman Islands, ranked 40th, has played 17 matches, while the Bahamas, ranked 58th, has played only 16.
This lack of match practice puts Bermuda at a significant disadvantage. While the USA and Canada have been actively competing in international cricket throughout 2025, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas have had limited opportunities to test themselves against high-level opposition.
The upcoming North American T20 Cup, scheduled to be held in the Cayman Islands from April 18th to 27th, will provide some much-needed match practice for the participating teams. However, with the Americas Regional Final set for later in the year, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to bridge the gap between Bermuda and it's more experienced rivals.
Bermuda will need to make the most of the North American T20 Cup and any other remaining opportunities to prepare for the crucial qualifiers. The team's success will depend on their ability to quickly adapt to the demands of international competition and perform at their best against strong opposition.
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