BULAWAYO venues to be used for the International Cricket Council World Cup Qualifier are taking shape with renovations to be complete by next month.

Nicholas Singo, the Bulawayo Local Organising Committee chairmen said the two venues, Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club have had their fields scarified. Buildings at Queens are also being painted while at BAC, work will soon start on the changing rooms with a grass embankment already planted.

“So far we have scarified fields at Queens and BAC, what is left is building renovations. At Queens we have already started, we have started painting there, we are hoping this week we will start at BAC, there is a bit of work that needs to be done there,’’ Singo said.

In terms of the fans sitting areas, at Queens, a local company, Pump and Steel have sponsored renovations to the stand close to the scoreboard while they will get paid for work on another. At BAC, fans will occupy the grass embankment while mobile stands will be secured from schools.

“At Queens, Pump and Steel have sponsored renovations to one of the stands, they are fixing the sitting area and shed. When it comes to BAC we have to put a wall by the grass embankment, we are looking at getting mobile stands from schools for 1000 people. All the work must be completed by 15 February, two and half weeks before the main tournament starts for minor touch ups,’’ Singo said.

The Singo chaired LOC, made up of experts in various fields is already meeting on a weekly basis to ensure that Bulawayo delivers a perfect tournament for matches to be played in the city.

Bulawayo will be hosting group B fixtures with the countries involved being Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Scotland, Hong Kong and runners up from the World Cricket League Division Two, who will only be known after 15 February. 

The biggest match of the Qualifier in the city is the clash between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club on 6 March. Group A is made up of West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea as well as the World Cricket League Division Two League champions. Fixtures for this pool are scheduled for Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians. Kwekwe Sports Club will be used for the playoff matches.

@Mdawini_29