In preparation for the highly anticipated ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe, the schedule for warm-up fixtures has been officially announced. Prior to the commencement of the Qualifier on June 18, all ten participating teams will engage in two warm-up matches, providing them with valuable match practice and a chance to fine-tune their strategies.
The opening day of warm-up fixtures is set for Tuesday, June 13, when every team will be in action. A second round of matches is scheduled for Thursday, June 15, the same week. These warm-up matches will allow teams to gauge their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and gain confidence ahead of the crucial tournament.
The ten teams competing in Zimbabwe are vying for two coveted spots in the 2023 World Cup, scheduled to be held later this year. The top two teams after the Super Six stage will advance to the final and earn a place at the prestigious 50-over showcase, making these warm-up matches even more significant in their journey towards World Cup qualification.
The squads for some teams have already been announced, while others are yet to reveal their lineups.
Ireland, led by Andrew Balbirnie, includes players such as Mark Adair, Paul Stirling, and Craig Young.
Nepal's squad is yet to be announced, while the Netherlands, captained by Scott Edwards, features names like Max O'Dowd and Wesley Barresi.
Oman, led by Zeeshan Maqsood, has players like Aqib Ilyas and Bilal Khan in their ranks.
With Richie Berrington at the helm, Scotland has notable players like George Munsey and Safyaan Sharif.
Sri Lanka, UAE, USA, and Zimbabwe are among the teams whose squads are yet to be announced.
Here is the schedule for the warm-up fixtures:
Tuesday, June 13:
- 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, June 15:
- 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
These warm-up matches promise to provide an exciting glimpse into the teams' preparations and serve as a thrilling prelude to the highly anticipated ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await the tournament, where every match will be a battle for World Cup qualification and a chance for teams to etch their names in cricketing history.