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ZIMBABWE will face Ireland in their first group match at the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup qualifier scheduled for Colombo, Sri Lanka, in February.
Ten sides will compete in the qualifying tournament where four places will be up for grabs for the ICC Women’s World Cup finals to be held in England from June 26 to July 23, 2017.
After playing Ireland at the Mercantile Cricket Association ground on February 7, Zimbabwe will take on Thailand three days later in their next Group A assignment at the same venue.
On February 11, Zimbabwe and hosts Sri Lanka will battle it out at the Nondescripts Cricket Club, before taking on India at the P Sara Stadium in the last group match on February 13.
Zimbabwe will play a warm-up game against Scotland at the Colombo Cricket Club prior to their first qualifier.
Group B comprises South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
Each side will play four matches in the first round and the top three sides from each group will progress to the Super Six stage with points they earn against teams that would have made the Super Six stage from their respective groups.
The top four sides from the Super Six stage, in which each side will play three matches against teams from the other group, will complete the eight-team line-up for the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. The top two sides will battle it out for the title in the final on February 21.
Australia, England, New Zealand and the West Indies automatically qualified for the World Cup after finishing in the top four of the ICC Women’s Championship. – Zim Cricket
Online Reporter