West Indies is all set to lock horns with UAE in a three-match ODI series beginning in Sharjah in June 2023. The series will act as a preparatory ground for both teams for the upcoming part of Zimbabwe for their World Cup Qualifier Tournament which will begin on June 18. The tournament will help to fix two teams that will directly qualify for the ODI World Cup 2023 slated to be played in India from October 5.
Regarding both teams’ positions at the Points Table, West Indies ended on the ninth position at the Cricket World Cup super league Points Table while Zimbabwe ended their stint on the 12th spot at the Points Table. West Indies ended their stint with nine wins from 24 matches while Zimbabwe ended their tenure with six wins from 24 fixtures. Both teams last played against each other during ODI World Cup 2015 & ICC World Cup Qualifier in 2018 in which West Indies emerged victorious on both occasions. West Indies last played an ODI series against South Africa in March 2023, ending in a 1-1 draw. While UAE last featured in the ACC men’s Premier Cup 2023 where they finished as runner-ups to Nepal by losing the fixture by seven wickets.
“This is our first-ever bilateral tour against the UAE and we are pleased to have agreed this historic three-match ODI series as it will provide a good opportunity for our players to get some preparation ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. It will also allow those players not going to Zimbabwe to get some valuable experience at the international level in foreign conditions, which would be hugely beneficial to their growth and development. We are happy to work closely with the ECB to arrange the three matches and we see this as a partnership which can grow in the future,” said Jimmy Adams, Director of Cricket for Cricket West Indies.
“We are delighted to host a former World Champion side like the West Indies ahead of the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe. In recent months, our team has produced some sensational performances in the ODI format which have helped raise UAE cricket’s profile. Our qualification for the tournament in Zimbabwe exemplifies our recent achievements. We want to ensure we provide the best possible preparation to our team and this series will most certainly help in achieving the goal. We look forward to welcoming the West Indian team. We want to thank Cricket West Indies for their continuous support towards cricket development in the UAE,” said Mubashshir Usmani General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).
Ten teams to lock horns in Cricket World Cup Qualifier for remaining two spots for ODI World Cup 2023
The Cricket World Cup Qualifier will witness five bottom-placed teams from the Cricket World Cup Super League Points Table locking horns with each other in the prestigious Qualifier Tournament. On the other hand, the teams that are automatically qualified for the marquee event won’t participate in the Qualifier tournament. For the unversed, the qualifiers will also be played by the top three teams from the World Cup League 2 2019-23 & the top two teams from the World Cup Qualifier 2023 playoff. The ten teams participating in the World Cup Qualifier tournament are Ireland, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Nepal, Zimbabwe, Oman, Scotland, the UAE, & the USA.
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