Four test playing nations will get direct entry to the tournament while one associate nation will come through the qualifying tournament. Afghanistan, Oman, Hong Kong and UAE, will compete in the qualifying tournament to be held at the end of November.

With the World T20 scheduled to begin five days later, the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup will is scheduled to commence on February 24 next year and the finals is due to be held on March 6 next year.The 2016 Asian cup edition will be as a prelude to the World Twenty20, which will be held in India from March 11 to April 3.