The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the fixture schedule for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
It will be an opportunity for the Irish men’s team to seal a place at the World Cup but it will not be easy.
The event will see 10 teams competing for two spots in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup – the qualifier will be held in Zimbabwe from 18 June – 9 July 2023.
Ireland have been drawn in the same group as Sri Lanka, Oman, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates.
Zimbabwe, the West Indies, the netherlands, Nepal and the United States are on the other side of the draw.
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 two top teams after the Super Six stage will contest the final, and will both progress to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
“One thing is clear from this Qualifier – the quality and depth of world cricket has grown remarkably in recent years and there are numerous teams in this event that could lay claim to be worthy of a world cup spot, indeed have competed in past World Cups,” said Cricket Ireland CEO Warren Deutrom.
“That all but justifies the need to expand the global tournament in future years – and we are pleased that the ICC has responded to that call.”
“These are the occasions that cricketers want to play in, and we all look forward to the squad doing Ireland proud.”
Ireland will play warm up games against the United States and the Netherlands before four games in nine days between the 19th and 27th of June.
