Dubai, Jun 11 (IANS): The qualification for the 2012 World Twenty20 cricket has been expanded to 20 teams.

The qualification tournament, which previously involved six or eight teams, will be expanded to a 16-team tournament for the next World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka

"Cricket development around the world has never been stronger," said International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

The ICC Development Committee has designed the new-look tournament to include 10 qualifiers from regional Twenty20 events which will add to the current six nations from the ODI/T20 status.

The exact details of the regional qualification network will be announced in due course.

In another development, the committee has pledged $2 million towards major cricket facilities developments in leading and targeted associates and affiliates in partnership with members and third-parties.

"These are two extremely exciting, strategic and encouraging developments for the future of cricket. They represent a clear sign of our ongoing commitment to growing the game beyond its traditional boundaries and ensuring that each of our members has the opportunity to develop and become the best they can be.

"Cricket has never been stronger. We now have three viable formats of the game at international level - something no other sport can boast - and cricket continues to grow in popularity in almost every corner of the globe. These initiatives are steps along the path towards continued sustainable growth," said Lorgat.

The Development Committee received a presentation from Cricket Indonesia and attended the national under-17 championships, which involved teams from 12 regions across that vast nation. In addition, Lorgat met with representatives from the Indonesian government and the National Olympic committee.