The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Tuesday, May 23, announced the schedule for the upcoming World Cup 2023 Qualifiers to be played from June 18 to July 9 in Zimbabwe. 10 teams have been divided into two groups.Group A consists of the West Indies, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Nepal and the United States of America (USA). Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) form Group B.Four venues; Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Cricket Club, Queen’s Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club will host the matches. 20 matches will take place in the group stage followed by the Super 6 stage. The top two teams in the Super 6 will play in the final and also qualify for the main event to be played later this year in India.Two-time champions West Indies will start their campaign against the USA on June 18. 1996 world champions Sri Lanka are scheduled to face the UAE in their first match of the Qualifiers on June 19.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 18 June against neighbours USA at Takashinga Cricket Club.Group B commences on 19 June 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 21 June 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.
Schedule
Sunday, 18 JuneZimbabwe v Nepal, Harare Sports ClubWest Indies v USA, Takashinga Cricket Club
Monday, 19 JuneSri Lanka v UAE, Queen’s Sports ClubIreland v Oman, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Tuesday, 20 JuneZimbabwe v Netherlands, Harare Sports ClubNepal v USA, Takashinga Cricket Club
Wednesday, 21 JuneIreland v Scotland, Queen’s Sports ClubOman v UAE, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Thursday, 22 JuneWest Indies v Nepal, Harare Sports ClubNetherlands v USA, Takashinga Cricket Club
Friday, 23 JuneSri Lanka v Oman, Queen’s Sports ClubScotland v UAE, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Saturday, 24 JuneZimbabwe v West Indies, Harare Sports ClubNetherlands v Nepal, Takashinga Cricket Club
Sunday, 25 JuneSri Lanka v Ireland, Queen’s Sports ClubScotland v Oman, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Monday, 26 JuneZimbabwe v USA, Harare Sports ClubWest Indies v Netherlands, Takashinga Cricket Club
Tuesday, 27 JuneSri Lanka v Scotland, Queen’s Sports ClubIreland v UAE, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Thursday, 29 JuneSuper 6: A2 v B2, Queen’s Sports Club
Friday, 30 JuneSuper 6: A3 v B1, Queen’s Sports ClubPlayoff: A5 v B4, Takashinga Cricket Club
Saturday, 1 JulySuper 6: A1 v B3, Harare Sports Club
Sunday, 2 JulySuper 6: A2 v B1, Queen’s Sports ClubPlayoff: A4 v B5, Takashinga Cricket Club
Monday, 3 JulySuper 6: A3 v B2, Harare Sports Club
Tuesday, 4 JulySuper 6: A2 v B3, Queen’s Sports ClubPlayoff: 7th v 8th Takashinga Cricket Club
Wednesday, 5 JulySuper Six: A1 v B2, Harare Sports Club
Thursday, 6 JulySuper Six: A3 v B3, Queen’s Sports ClubPlayoff: 9th v 10th Takashinga Cricket Club
Friday, 07 JulySuper Six: A1 v B1, Harare Sports Club
Sunday, 09 JulyFinal, Harare Sports Club