Fixtures Released for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023: Nepal’s Journey Begins
The excitement for cricket enthusiasts around the world is building up as the fixtures for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 have been released. The tournament will take place in Zimbabwe from 18th June to 9th July 2023, and it will determine the final two teams that will secure their spots at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
Ten teams will be competing in the qualifier, with each match carrying high stakes as teams battle it out for a chance to play in cricket’s ODI global showpiece. The participating teams are divided into two groups. Group A consists of hosts Zimbabwe, the West Indies, the Netherlands, Nepal, and the United States. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament format involves each team playing the other teams in their group once. The top three teams from each group will then progress to the Super Six stage, where they will face the teams they haven’t played in the group stage. All points earned in the group stage will be carried over to the Super Six stage, except for those gained against teams that fail to qualify. The top two teams from the Super Six stage will secure their places in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The opening match of the tournament will see hosts Zimbabwe take on Nepal at Harare Sports Club. Nepal, aiming to qualify for the Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time, will be looking to make a strong start to their campaign. Two-time Men’s Cricket World Cup champions West Indies will also be in action on the opening day against the United States at Takashinga Cricket Club.
Group B matches will commence on 19th June in Bulawayo, with 1996 World Cup champions Sri Lanka facing the United Arab Emirates at Queen’s Sports Club. In another match at Bulawayo Athletic Club, Ireland will go up against Oman.
The fixtures showcase exciting matchups throughout the tournament, with teams battling it out to secure their places in the World Cup. The schedule includes encounters such as the Netherlands facing Zimbabwe on 20th June at Harare Sports Club and Scotland taking on Ireland in Bulawayo on 21st June at Queen’s Sports Club.
The Super Six stage will commence on 29th June, where the top teams from each group will face off against each other. The bottom two teams from each group will compete in the Playoff. Notably, for the first time in this tournament, the Decision Review System (DRS) will be used for all matches from the Super Six stage onwards, adding an extra layer of excitement and accuracy to the games.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier is the culmination of four years of intense competition. It 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. This tournament provides a unique opportunity for emerging cricket nations and former World Cup champions to showcase their skills and compete on a global stage.
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice emphasized the significance of the qualifier, stating, “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.” With two former Men’s Cricket World Cup champions in the mix and emerging cricket nations aiming to qualify for the first time, the tournament promises to be a showcase of the global game, representing Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
The Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, expressed his anticipation for the tournament, stating, “We are looking forward to an unforgettable treat of great, entertaining, and competitive cricket.” He also emphasized the opportunity for Zimbabwe to showcase not only the passion for cricket but also the warmth of its people and the breathtaking beauty of the country and its tourist attractions.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 promises to be a thrilling event, providing nail-biting matches as teams battle it out for the final two spots in the prestigious ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Cricket fans worldwide will eagerly follow the journey of each team, and for Nepal, it presents a golden opportunity to make history by securing their first-ever qualification for cricket’s premier event.
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
