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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe national cricket team are set to fine tune for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 tomorrow with a practice game against minnows Oman at Takashinga Sports Club
The Chevrons are expected to carry the nation’s hopes on their shoulders in the next three weeks as they battle in the 10-team tournament where only two teams secure places at the ICC Cricket World Cup to be held in India later in the year.
Dave Houghton’s men have been in camp for the past seven days to put their final game plan in place. They had last played an international match back in March when they hosted Ireland.
As per the schedule confirmed by the International Cricket Council, the Chevrons play Oman tomorrow and then wrap up their preparations against Scotland on Thursday.
All the 10 participating teams have now checked into their hotels and will also be involved in the practice games as part of their preparations in this final countdown week.
The warm-up matches will be played across five venues in Zimbabwe, with Harare Sports Club, Takashinga, Old Hararians, Queen’s Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club ready for the warm-up fixtures.
USA were the first to arrive last Monday, with the rest of the sides landing at the weekend both in Harare and Bulawayo, where the Qualifier tournament will take place.
Zimbabwe Cricket have declared their readiness to host the cricket jamboree, which begins this Sunday and culminates in the final on July 9.
The International Cricket Council are also satisfied with the prospects of Zimbabwe hosting a flawless event, just like they did in 2018 during a similar Qualifier.
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.”
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.
The top three from each group will progress to the Super Six stage where 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 July 9. Old Hararians Cricket Club will also host warm-up fixtures.
Hosts Zimbabwe get the ball running against Nepal this Sunday, before entertaining the Netherlands at the same venue two days later. They will then play two-time former champions West Indies and then round off with USA.
ZC have since announced that match tickets are now on sale to the public. Charges have been pegged between US$2 and US$10 to enjoy in person the four group matches involving Zimbabwe as well as all the Super Six fixtures and the final.
Spectators will be able to watch for free all the other group matches not involving the hosts.
Tomorrow
West Indies v Scotland, Harare Sports Club
Zimbabwe v Oman, Takashinga Cricket Club
Nepal v UAE, Old Hararians Cricket Club
Sri Lanka v Netherlands, Queen’s Sports Club
Ireland v USA, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Thursday
Nepal v Oman, Harare Sports Club
West Indies v UAE, Takashinga Cricket Club
Zimbabwe v Scotland, Old Hararians Cricket Club
Ireland v Netherlands, Queen’s Sports Club
Sri Lanka v USA, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Online Reporter