The schedule for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier has been unveiled, marking the upcoming event to be held in Zimbabwe from 18 June to 9 July 2023. With the confirmation of the 10 participating teams, every match in this tournament holds immense significance as the teams vie for two coveted spots in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, which guarantees them nine matches at the prestigious ODI global showpiece.
The teams are divided into two groups of five. Group A comprises hosts Zimbabwe, the West Indies, the Netherlands, Nepal, and the United States, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
Each team will face the other teams in their respective groups once, with the top three from each group progressing to the Super Six stage. In the Super Six, they will compete against the teams they didn’t encounter in the group stage.
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023
The points earned during the group stage will carry over to the Super Six stage, except for those gained against teams that fail to advance. The finalists of the tournament will secure their spots in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Matches will be held at Queen’s Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club in Bulawayo, as well as Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare. The final match will take place on 9 July at Harare Sports Club, while warm-up fixtures will also be hosted by Old Hararians Cricket Club.
The tournament kicks off with the host nation, Zimbabwe, facing Nepal at Harare Sports Club on the opening matchday. The two-time Men’s Cricket World Cup champions, West Indies, will also begin their campaign on 18 June against neighboring team USA at Takashinga Cricket Club.
Group B action commences on 19 June in Bulawayo, where Sri Lanka, the 1996 World Cup champions, will clash with the UAE at Queen’s Sports Club. Meanwhile, Ireland and Oman will go head-to-head at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
The Netherlands will commence their journey on 20 June against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, while Scotland will face their rivals Ireland on 21 June at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo. The Super Six stage is set to begin on 29 June, while the bottom two teams from each group will compete in the Playoff stage.
A notable addition to this tournament is the implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS) for all matches from the Super Six stage onwards.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier is the culmination of four years of fiercely contested competition, bringing 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 secured entry from the ICC Men’s CWC Qualifier Play-off.
According to ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice –
The countdown to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is reaching its climax, and the upcoming qualifier event holds immense significance as teams vie for a spot in the pinnacle event of one-day cricket. Allardice emphasized the competitive nature of the tournament and highlighted the excitement among fans as they anticipate which teams will join the eight already qualified for India.
With former Men’s Cricket World Cup champions and emerging cricket nations aiming for their first qualification, the event is set to be a showcase of the global game, bringing together teams from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Allardice expressed his enthusiasm for this unique event that will captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani expressed his anticipation for a memorable tournament filled with great cricket, entertainment, and intense competition. He emphasized the quality of the participating teams and the guarantee of thrilling matches. As the hosts, Zimbabwe sees this event as an extraordinary opportunity to not only demonstrate their passion for cricket but also to showcase the warmth of their people and the stunning beauty of their country and its tourist attractions.
ICC MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUP QUALIFIER FIXTURES
(All matches start at 09h00 local time)
Sunday, 18 June
- Zimbabwe v Nepal, Harare Sports Club
- West Indies v USA, Takashinga Cricket Club
Monday, 19 June
- Sri Lanka v UAE, Queen’s Sports Club
- Ireland v Oman, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Tuesday, 20 June
- Zimbabwe v Netherlands, Harare Sports Club
- Nepal v USA, Takashinga Cricket Club
Wednesday, 21 June
- Ireland v Scotland, Queen’s Sports Club
- Oman v UAE, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Thursday, 22 June
- West Indies v Nepal, Harare Sports Club
- Netherlands v USA, Takashinga Cricket Club
Friday, 23 June
- Sri Lanka v Oman, Queen’s Sports Club
- Scotland v UAE, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Saturday, 24 June
- Zimbabwe v West Indies, Harare Sports Club
- Netherlands v Nepal, Takashinga Cricket Club
Sunday, 25 June
- Sri Lanka v Ireland, Queen’s Sports Club
- Scotland v Oman, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Monday, 26 June
- Zimbabwe v USA, Harare Sports Club
- West Indies v Netherlands, Takashinga Cricket Club
Tuesday, 27 June
- Sri Lanka v Scotland, Queen’s Sports Club
- Ireland v UAE, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Thursday, 29 June
- Super 6: A2 v B2, Queen’s Sports Club
Friday, 30 June
- Super 6: A3 v B1, Queen’s Sports Club
- Playoff: A5 v B4, Takashinga Cricket Club
Saturday, 1 July
- Super 6: A1 v B3, Harare Sports Club
Sunday, 2 July
- Super 6: A2 v B1, Queen’s Sports Club
- Playoff: A4 v B5, Takashinga Cricket Club
Monday, 3 July
- Super 6: A3 v B2, Harare Sports Club
Tuesday, 4 July
- Super 6: A2 v B3, Queen’s Sports Club
- Playoff: 7th v 8th Takashinga Cricket Club
Wednesday, 5 July
- Super Six: A1 v B2, Harare Sports Club
Thursday, 6 July
- Super Six: A3 v B3, Queen’s Sports Club
- Playoff: 9th v 10th Takashinga Cricket Club
Friday, 07 July
- Super Six: A1 v B1, Harare Sports Club
Sunday, 09 July
- Final, Harare Sports Club
WARM-UP FIXTURES
Tuesday, 13 June
- West Indies v Scotland, Harare Sports Club
- Zimbabwe v Oman, Takashinga Cricket Club
- Nepal v UAE, Old Hararians Cricket Club
- Sri Lanka v Netherlands, Queen’s Sports Club
- Ireland v USA, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Thursday, 15 June
- Nepal v Oman, Harare Sports Club
- West Indies v UAE, Takashinga Cricket Club
- Zimbabwe v Scotland, Old Hararians Cricket Club
- Ireland v Netherlands, Queen’s Sports Club
- Sri Lanka v USA, Bulawayo Athletic Club
