The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE International Cricket Council has today (Friday) confirmed the match schedule for next month’s 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B to be held in Bulawayo.
Eight teams head into battle at Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club from 11-17 where the two remaining slots for the Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia are up for grabs.
The event, which promised fast paced and thrilling cricket features hosts Zimbabwe, alongside Jersey, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Singapore, Uganda and USA all competing for the two spots that will take the Qualifier B finalists to the World Cup between 16 October and 13 November 2022.
With only 20 T20 Men’s Internationals to be played across the event, every single ball counts, bringing the great intensity and vibrancy that has become accustomed with T20 World Cup Qualifiers.
Singapore and Zimbabwe sealed their places in Qualifier B based on their rankings in the ICC MRF Tyres Men’s T20I Team rankings. Netherlands and PNG entered the 2022 qualification pathway at this stage following their finishing position in Round 1 at the 2021 edition, whilst the four remaining teams Hong Kong, Jersey, Uganda and USA advanced from the regional Finals.
Hosts Zimbabwe will take on Singapore in the opener on 11 July with all games streamed live on FanCode in the Indian sub-continent and on ICC.tv across the rest of the world for fans to enjoy.
There will also be in-play and post play highlights made available on ICC.tv and ICC’s Facebook page, as well as live scoring and dedicated editorial coverage across the tournament on the ICC website.
The winner of Qualifier B will go into Group B in Round 1 in Australia with Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies. With the runner-up filling the final spot in Group A alongside Namibia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.
ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: ‘We are very excited for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B to begin. This is the final step in the qualification pathway for the remaining two World Cup spots and we are looking forward to competitive and hard fought cricket, with a chance for all teams to compete for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket up for grabs. Fans will be able to cheer on all teams and follow the action by tuning in to ICC.tv or FanCode to find out who will secure their spots in the World Cup.
“We are delighted to be working with Zimbabwe Cricket again and wish all the participating teams the very best of luck in their quest to reach the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.”
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B match schedule
11 July – Zimbabwe v Singapore 09h00, Queens Sports Club
11 July – Jersey v USA, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
11 July – Netherlands v PNG, 13h00, Queens Sports Club
11 July – Hong Kong v Uganda, 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
12 July – Zimbabwe v Jersey, 09h00, Queens Sports Club
12 July – Singapore v USA, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
12 July – Netherlands v Hong Kong, 13h00, Queens Sports Club
12 July – PNG v Uganda, 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
13 July – Rest Day
14 July – Netherlands v Uganda, 09h00, Queens Sports Club
14 July – PNG v Hong Kong, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
14 July – Zimbabwe v USA, 13h00, Queens Sports Club
14 July- Singapore v Jersey, 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
15 July – A3 v B4, 09h00, Queens Sports Club
15 July – B3 v A4, 09:00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
15 July – Semi Final 1 (A1 v B2), 09h00, Queens Sports Club
15 July – Semi Final 2 (B2 v A1), 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
16 July – Rest
17 July – 5th/6th Place play-off, 09h00, Queens Sports Club
17 July – 7th/8th Place play-off, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
17 July – Final, 13h00, Queens Sports Club
17 July – 3rd/4th Place play-off, 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club
Follow on Twitter @Mdawini_29
