The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the groups and schedule for the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which will take place in Zimbabwe starting from June 18.

The tournament will feature ten teams divided into two groups of five. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six phase. In the Super Six, teams will compete against the qualifying teams from the other group, and the points accumulated against other Super Six teams from their original group will carry forward. The top two teams from the Super Six stage will secure the final spots in the ten-team tournament held in India. They will then face each other in a thrilling Qualifier final to determine the ultimate champion. Group A appears to be the tougher of the two groups, with Nepal, currently in great form, placed as the fourth seed alongside the West Indies, Netherlands, USA, and the hosts, Zimbabwe.

In Group B, Sri Lanka is considered the strong favorite, and they will face Ireland, a team they did not encounter in the recently concluded Cricket World Cup Super League. Scotland and Oman have earned their spots in Group B through their impressive performances in League 2, while the UAE secured their place in the tournament by winning the Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off held in Namibia earlier this year.

So far, only the West Indies and Scotland have made their squads public. Notably, Richie Berrington’s Scottish side will be missing several players due to their commitments in County Cricket, including Michael Jones, Josh Davey, and Brad Wheal. The West Indies, on the other hand, have decided to exclude Shimron Hetmyer from their squad. It is also expected that the Netherlands will have a few players unavailable due to their involvement in UK domestic cricket, although Bas de Leede from Durham will be able to participate.

Television Coverage and DRS Implementation in the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023. All matches held at the Harare Sports Club and the Queens Sports Club during the tournament will be televised, allowing fans around the world to enjoy the action. Additionally, matches taking place at the Takashinga Cricket Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club will be available for streaming on ICC.tv.

Contrary to earlier media reports, the Decision Review System (DRS) will indeed be implemented for the tournament. However, it will come into effect starting from the Super Six phase and onwards, ensuring fair and accurate decision-making during the crucial stages of the competition.

Cricket World Cup Qualifier Groups and Fixtures:

Group A:

• West Indies
• Zimbabwe
• Netherlands
• Nepal
• USA
• Group B:
• Sri Lanka
• Ireland
• Scotland
• Oman
• UAE

Fixtures:

Sunday, 18 June

• Zimbabwe vs Nepal at Harare Sports Club
• West Indies vs USA at Takashinga Cricket Club

Monday, 19 June

• Sri Lanka vs UAE at Queen’s Sports Club
• Ireland vs Oman at Bulawayo Athletic Club

Tuesday, 20 June

• Zimbabwe vs Netherlands at Harare Sports Club
• Nepal vs USA at Takashinga Cricket Club

Wednesday, 21 June

• Ireland vs Scotland at Queen’s Sports Club
• Oman vs UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club

Thursday, 22 June

• West Indies vs Nepal at Harare Sports Club
• Netherlands vs USA at Takashinga Cricket Club

Friday, 23 June

• Sri Lanka vs Oman at Queen’s Sports Club
• Scotland vs UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club

Saturday, 24 June

• Zimbabwe vs West Indies at Harare Sports Club
• Netherlands vs Nepal at Takashinga Cricket Club

Sunday, 25 June

• Sri Lanka vs Ireland at Queen’s Sports Club
• Scotland vs Oman at Bulawayo Athletic Club

Monday, 26 June

• Zimbabwe vs USA at Harare Sports Club
• West Indies vs Netherlands at Takashinga Cricket Club

Tuesday, 27 June

• Sri Lanka vs Scotland at Queen’s Sports Club
• Ireland vs UAE at Bulawayo Athletic Club

Thursday, 29 June

• Super 6: A2 vs B2 at Queen’s Sports Club

Friday, 30 June

• Super 6: A3 vs B1 at Queen’s Sports Club
• Playoff: A5 vs B4 at Takashinga Cricket Club

Saturday, 1 July

• Super 6: A1 vs B3 at Harare Sports Club

Sunday, 2 July

• Super 6: A2 vs B1 at Queen’s Sports Club
• Playoff: A4 vs B5 at Takashinga Cricket Club

Monday, 3 July

• Super 6: A3 vs B2 at Harare Sports Club

Tuesday, 4 July

• Super 6: A2 vs B3 at Queen’s Sports Club
• Playoff: 7th vs 8th at Takashinga Cricket Club

Wednesday, 5 July

• Super 6: A1 vs B2 at Harare Sports Club

Thursday, 6 July

• Super 6: A3 vs B3 at Queen’s Sports Club
• Playoff: 9th vs 10th at Takashinga Cricket Club

Friday, 07 July

• Super 6: A1 vs B1 at Harare Sports Club

Sunday, 09 July

• Final at Harare Sports Club

Warm-up Fixtures:

Tuesday, 13 June

• 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

Thursday, 15 June

• 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

Official Seedings:

• West Indies
• Sri Lanka
• Ireland
• Zimbabwe
• Netherlands
• Scotland
• Oman
• Nepal
• USA
• UAE