Denmark had hosted the Nordic T20I Cup in 2022, but on that occasion, it was a two-day, three-match bilateral series against Finland. After losing the first match by three wickets, Denmark bounced back with 138-run and 55-run wins to clinch the series 2-1.

This time, Norway and Sweden have joined the fray to make it a four-nation, 12-match tournament. The 12 matches, curiously, include two non-internationals for Denmark A, against Sweden A and Norway A, while Denmark play Sweden and Norway once each.

Of the four teams, hosts Denmark have the richest cricketing heritage. The famous Ole Mortensen used to be a Derbyshire mainstay, paving the way for future Danish cricketers. In 2009, Copenhagen-born Amjad Khan played Test cricket for England.

Denmark Women played in the 1993 and 1997 World Cups. In the first, they beat the Netherlands, their arch rivals across genders; in the second, they beat Pakistan.

There was a Norway-born Test cricketer too – the one-eyed Eiulf ‘Buster’ Nupen who played 17 times for South Africa, but the legacy did not continue. Sweden and Finland continue to strive to leave a mark in cricket.

The tournament will feature five umpires – Allan From, Fareedoon Bhatti, Ashish Kumar Saini, Srinidhi Ravindra, and Atif Jamal.

Nordic T20I Cup 2023 schedule: Full fixtures list and match timings

(all timings local)

May 18, 11.00 AM: Denmark v Norway (Svanholm Park, Brøndby)
May 18, 3.30 PM: Denmark v Finland (Svanholm Park, Brøndby)
May 18, 3.30 PM: Norway v Sweden (Solvangs Park, Glostrup)
May 19, 11.00 AM: Denmark v Sweden (Svanholm Park, Brøndby)
May 19, 11.00 AM: Norway v Finland (Solvangs Park, Glostrup)
May 19, 3.30 PM: Denmark v Finland (Svanholm Park, Brøndby)
May 19, 3.30 PM: Norway v Sweden (Solvangs Park, Glostrup)
May 20, 11.00 AM: Finland v Sweden (Svanholm Park, Brøndby)
May 20, 3.30 PM: Denmark A v Sweden A (Svanholm Park, Brøndby)
May 20, 3.30 PM: Finland v Norway (Solvangs Park, Glostrup)
May 21, 10.30 AM: Denmark A v Norway A (Svanholm Park, Brøndby)
May 21, 10.30 AM: Finland v Sweden (Solvangs Park, Glostrup)