[2][3] The eight Associate Members of the International Cricket Council that have T20I status were scheduled to take part.

[2] However, Papua New Guinea declined to participate and were replaced by Namibia (who did not have T20I status at the time).

The fixtures for the tournament were confirmed by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in December 2016.

[5] The semi-finals and final of the tournament took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 20 January.

[8][9] Before the tournament started, both Andrew Balbirnie and Stuart Thompson were ruled out of Ireland's squad due to injury.