ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 schedule announced

10 teams to compete in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 from 18th June to 9th July, 2023.

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 18 June – 9 July 2023.

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 9 July. 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 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.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “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.

“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.”

Zimbabwe Cricket Chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said: “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 breath-taking beauty of our country and its tourist attractions.”

ICC Men's’ Cricket World Cup Qualifier Schedule (All matches start at 9:00 PM Local time, 12:30 IST)

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

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Warm-Up Matches:

Tuesday, 13 JuneWest Indies v Scotland, Harare Sports ClubZimbabwe v Oman, Takashinga Cricket ClubNepal v UAE, Old Hararians Cricket ClubSri Lanka v Netherlands, Queen’s Sports ClubIreland v USA, Bulawayo Athletic Club

Thursday, 15 JuneNepal v Oman, Harare Sports ClubWest Indies v UAE, Takashinga Cricket ClubZimbabwe v Scotland, Old Hararians Cricket ClubIreland v Netherlands, Queen’s Sports ClubSri Lanka v USA, Bulawayo Athletic Club