WC 2023 Qualifiers Schedule: Easy path for Sri Lanka & West Indies as ICC reveals Qualifier fixtures

WC 2023 Qualifiers Schedule: Two-time winners West Indies and 1996 champions Sri Lanka have an easy route to World Cup 2023. The two former champions have been drawn into opposing groups in the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, set to begin on June 18 in Zimbabwe. With the finalists set to secure the remaining two berths in WC in India, it’s tough for other nations like Ireland and Zimbabwe. Follow World Cup 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.

West Indies are in Group A alongside Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Nepal and the USA. Sri Lanka are in Group B with Ireland, Scotland, Oman and the UAE. Both former champs missed out on a direct qualification after finishing outside the Top 8 of the ICC ODI Super League. India will host the 50-over World Cup in October-November.

Also Read: Deadlock over, BCCI set to approve PCB’s Asia Cup ‘hybrid’ model, ‘T&C applied’

Zimbabwe and the Netherlands will be familiar opponents for the West Indies. Three teams from each group will progress to Super 6 round. Nepal and the USA earned their spots via League 2 play and the recent Qualifier Play-off respectively. Sri Lanka also face daunting opponents in Group B in Zimbabwe with the island nation scheduled to play matches against Ireland, Scotland, Oman and the UAE.

Sri Lanka finished in 10th place on the Super League standings – one spot behind the West Indies. Dasun Shanaka & Co will be looking for a top-two finish in Zimbabwe to ensure they maintain their excellent record of competing in each edition of the World Cup. The West Indies too have been to all 12 editions of the World Cup, while Zimbabwe are the next most successful side at the qualifier having participated in nine tournaments to date.

Nepal, USA and Oman have never made it through to the World Cup and will be looking to book their first appearance via a top-two finish at the qualifier. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice believes the 10 teams in Zimbabwe are very evenly matched and is looking forward to a tight contest between all sides.

“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,” Allardice said.

“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.”

Each team will play four matches during the group stage of the qualifier, with the top three sides from each group then progressing through to the Super Six stage. All points won in the groups will be carried over to the Super Six stage apart from those gained against the bottom two from each group.

Teams will then play a further three matches against sides from the opposing group during the Super Six stage, with the top two teams at the completion of the Super Six stage earning a place in the World Cup and the qualifier final in Harare on July 9.

WC 2023 Qualifiers Schedule

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