NORTHERN IRELAND WILL PLAY THE HOST

There will be 20-20 qualifiers for the first time in history ever.Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands and Scotland will clash in Belfast next August in the inaugural World Twenty20 qualifier with the top two sides booking places in the 2009 world championship.

As well as taking part in the finals, to be staged in England, the two successful teams will also stand to gain 250,000 dollars each for qualifying.

"The inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa was a great success with two Associate teams - Kenya and Scotland - qualifying through the World Cricket League Division 1," said ICC Global Development Manager Matthew Kennedy.

"This event gives the top six Associates the opportunity to qualify for the 2009 World Twenty20 in that format of the game."This format is likely to be exciting.