CricketEurope has learned that, in addition to the new eight-team format for 2006, the ICC is proposing to enhance the standing of the Intercontinetal Cup by making significant changes to the tournament in 2007 and 2008, and is also considering the possibility of extending the tournament to as many as sixteen countries in a couple of years from now. Such an expansion would probably see Denmark being given a place.

As expected, the 2006 Intercontinental Cup will consist of eight teams, playing in two groups, and all matches will be scheduled for four days. One group consists of Ireland, Scotland, UAE and either Namibia or Nepal while the other comprises Bermuda, Canada, Kenya and the Netherlands. The group winners will meet in a Final.

The 12 teams who participated in 2005 have been whittled down to eight by means of a formula involving the ICC's one day and three day rankings for Associate members. This produced the following ordering: Kenya, Ireland, Scotland, Bermuda, Canada, UAE, Namibia and Netherlands.

However, it was decided by the ICC's Development Committee that Nepal (ranked 9th) should be in the tournament on the basis of their previous performances in the Asian Zone and so they will travel to Namibia for a challenge game to determine which country will qualify. Despite being ranked below the Namibians, the Netherlands were given an automatic place on the basis of their qualification for the 2007 Cricket World Cup which has earned them High Performance status from the ICC.