The schedule for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier has been released, following the confirmation of the 10 teams that will feature at the event hosted in Zimbabwe from June 18 to July 9.
Each match will be high stakes, with teams contesting for two places at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India that gives them nine guaranteed matches at cricket’s ODI global showpiece.
The 10 teams taking part in the qualifier are split into two groups of five teams.
Hosts Zimbabwe, the West Indies, the Netherlands, Nepal and the United States make up Group ‘A’, while Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Oman and the United Arab Emirates form Group ‘B’.
Each side will play the other teams in their group once with the top three from each group progressing to the Super Six stage.
In the Super Six, they will play the sides they did not meet in the group stage.
All points won in the group stage will be carried over to the Super Six stage apart from those gained against the teams that fail to make it to the Super Six stage.
The finalists will both progress to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Queen’s Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club in Bulawayo, Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare will share 34 matches between them, with Harare Sports Club staging the final on July 9.
Old Hararians Cricket Club will also host warm-up fixtures.
Hosts Zimbabwe will feature on the opening matchday at Harare Sports Club against Nepal, who are aiming to qualify for the Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time.
Two-time Men’s Cricket World Cup champions West Indies will also be in action on June 18 against neighbours USA at Takashinga Cricket Club.
Group ‘B’ commences on June 19 in Bulawayo with 1996 World Cup champions Sri Lanka facing the UAE at Queen’s Sports Club, while in the other match at Bulawayo Athletic Club, Ireland will face off against Oman.
The Netherlands will open their campaign against Zimbabwe on 20 June at Harare Sports Club, while Scotland face rivals Ireland in Bulawayo on June 21 at Queens Sports Club.
The Super Six stage will commence on 29 June, while the bottom two teams from each group will compete in the Playoff.
For the first time in this tournament, DRS will be used for all matches from the Super Six stage onwards.
The Qualifier is the culmination of four years of hard-fought competition that brings together the bottom five teams from the ICC Men’s CWC Super League, three automatic qualifiers from the ICC Men’s CWC League 2 and two teams who gained entry from the ICC Men’s CWC Qualifier Play-off.
“The countdown to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is entering the final stages and this event presents an incredible opportunity for teams to earn a place in the pinnacle event of one day cricket. The stakes don’t get any bigger in what will be a very competitive event enjoyed by fans looking to see who will join the eight teams that have already booked their tickets to India,” ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said.
“With two former Men’s Cricket World Cup champions among the contenders as well as emerging cricket nations who are aiming to qualify for the first time, this unique event, featuring teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe will be a showcase of the global game,” he added.
“We are looking forward to an unforgettable treat of great, entertaining and competitive cricket, something that is guaranteed considering the quality of the teams participating in the tournament. Apart from the magic that the game itself is promising, this event presents us as the hosts with an incredible opportunity to showcase not only the passion for cricket in Zimbabwe but also the warmth of our people as well as the breathtaking beauty of our country and its tourist attractions,” Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Fixtures (All matches start at 09.00a.m. local time)
June 18 (Sunday):
Zimbabwe vs Nepal at Harare Sports Club
West Indies vs USA at Takashinga Cricket Club
June 19 (Monday):
Sri Lanka vs UAE at Queen’s Sports Club
Ireland vs Oman at Bulawayo Athletic Club
June 20 (Tuesday):
Zimbabwe vs Netherlands at Harare Sports Club
Nepal vs USA at Takashinga Cricket Club
June 21 (Wednesday):
Ireland vs Scotland at Queen’s Sports Club
Oman vs UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club
June 22 (Thursday):
West Indies vs Nepal at Harare Sports Club
Netherlands vs USA at Takashinga Cricket Club
June 23 (Friday):
Sri Lanka vs Oman at Queen’s Sports Club
Scotland vs UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club
June 24 (Saturday):
Zimbabwe vs West Indies at Harare Sports Club
Netherlands vs Nepal at Takashinga Cricket Club
June 25 (Sunday):
Sri Lanka vs Ireland at Queen’s Sports Club
Scotland vs Oman at Bulawayo Athletic Club
June 26 (Monday):
Zimbabwe vs USA at Harare Sports Club
West Indies vs Netherlands at Takashinga Cricket Club
June 27 (Tuesday):
Sri Lanka vs Scotland at Queen’s Sports Club
Ireland vs UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club
June 29 (Thursday):
Super 6: A2 vs B2 at Queen’s Sports Club
June 30 (Friday):
Super 6: A3 vs B1 at Queen’s Sports Club
Playoff: A5 vs B4 at Takashinga Cricket Club
July 1 (Saturday):
Super 6: A1 vs B3 at Harare Sports Club
July 2 (Sunday):
Super 6: A2 vs B1 at Queen’s Sports Club
Playoff: A4 vs B5 at Takashinga Cricket Club
July 3 (Monday):
Super 6: A3 vs B2 at Harare Sports Club
July 4 (Tuesday):
Super 6: A2 vs B3 at Queen’s Sports Club
Playoff: 7th vs 8th at Takashinga Cricket Club
July 5 (Wednesday):
Super Six: A1 vs B2 at Harare Sports Club
July 6 (Thursday):
Super Six: A3 vs B3 at Queen’s Sports Club
Playoff: 9th vs 10th at Takashinga Cricket Club
July 7 (Friday):
Super Six: A1 vs B1 at Harare Sports Club
July 9 (Sunday):
Final at Harare Sports Club
Warm-up Fixtures
June 13 (Tuesday):
West Indies vs Scotland at Harare Sports Club
Zimbabwe vs Oman at Takashinga Cricket Club
Nepal vs UAE at Old Hararians Cricket Club
Sri Lanka vs Netherlands at Queen’s Sports Club
Ireland vs USA at Bulawayo Athletic Club
June 15 (Thursday):
Nepal vs Oman at Harare Sports Club
West Indies vs UAE at Takashinga Cricket Club
Zimbabwe vs Scotland at Old Hararians Cricket Club
Ireland vs Netherlands at Queen’s Sports Club
Sri Lanka vs USA at Bulawayo Athletic Club
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