Ten teams set to compete in 2023 ODI World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In an official announcement made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, it was revealed that the 2023 ODI World Cup Qualifier will be held in Zimbabwe from June 18 to July 9. This highly anticipated tournament will feature ten teams vying for two coveted spots in the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to take place in India during October-November.
The ten participating teams have been divided into two groups of five. Group A consists of hosts Zimbabwe, the West Indies, the Netherlands, Nepal, and the United States. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
During the group stage, each team will face off against the other teams in their respective group once. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, where they will play against the teams they did not encounter in the group stage.

All points earned during the group stage will be carried forward to the Super Six stage, except for points gained against teams that fail to progress. The two teams that reach the final of the Qualifier will secure their place in the prestigious World Cup 2023.
A total of 34 matches will be played at various venues in Zimbabwe. Queen’s Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club in Bulawayo, along with Harare Sports Club and Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare, will host the matches. The final match of the Qualifier will be held at Harare Sports Club on July 9. Warm-up fixtures will also take place at the Old Hararians Cricket Club.
The tournament’s opening match will see hosts Zimbabwe face Nepal at Harare Sports Club on June 18. Another exciting encounter on the same day will feature two-time champions West Indies taking on neighbours USA at Takashinga Cricket Club.

Group B matches will kick off on June 19 at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo, with 1996 World Cup champions Sri Lanka facing the United Arab Emirates, while Ireland will compete against Oman at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
The Netherlands will commence their campaign against Zimbabwe on June 20 at Harare Sports Club, while Scotland will face off against rivals Ireland in Bulawayo on June 21 at Queen’s Sports Club. The Super Six stage is scheduled to begin on June 29, and the bottom two teams from each group will compete in the Playoff stage.
Notably, the 2023 ODI World Cup Qualifier will witness the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) for all matches starting from the Super Six stage, marking the first time this technology will be implemented in this particular tournament.

This Qualifier event represents the culmination of four years of intense competition, bringing together the bottom five teams from the ICC Men’s CWC Super League, three automatic qualifiers from the ICC Men’s CWC League 2, and two teams who secured their entry through the ICC Men’s CWC Qualifier Play-off.
Cricket enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the thrilling matches that lie ahead as these ten teams battle it out for a chance to compete in the highly anticipated World Cup 2023.
(With inputs from PTI)