ZIMBABWE will face Nepal in their opening match at next month’s International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier at Queens Sports Club.

Nepal lost to the United Arab Emirates in the final of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two in Windhoek, Namibia on Thursday. This means that the Asians join host nation Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Scotland in group B of the Qualifier. Matches for this particular pool will be played at Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club from 4 to 12 March.

Zimbabwe opens the tournament with a clash against Nepal who actually finished on top of the log in the ICC World Cricket League Division Two with four wins from five matches. Nepal went on to lose to second-placed UAE in the final.

UAE will play in group A with their opponents being West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands and Papua New Guinea. Fixtures for this pool will take place at Harare Sports Club and Old Hararians in the capital city.

The conclusion of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two ensured that the 10-team lineup is complete for the Qualifier. From the 10, only two countries, those who will contest the final at Harare Sports Club on 25 March will book a place at next year’s Cricket World Cup to be staged in England.

A Qualifier tournament was necessitated by ICC’s decision to have only 10 teams taking part in next year’s tournament, down from the 14 at the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 

Zimbabwe are the most successful team in the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier which used to be known as the ICC Trophy until 2005. They won the competition three times in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and have not competed in the event since 1990 as they earned direct qualification for all World Cups from 1996 onwards.

Zimbabwe’s fixtures in ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier

Sunday, 4 March –Zimbabwe v Nepal (Queens Sports Club),

Tuesday, 6 March –Zimbabwe v Afghanistan (Queens Sports Club)

Saturday, 10 March –Zimbabwe v Hong Kong (Queens Sports Club)

Monday, 12 March – Zimbabwe v Scotland (Bulawayo Athletic Club)

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