Zimbabwe To Host 2019 World Cup Qualifiers
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that Zimbabwe will host the qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup. The World Cup qualifiers will be held in March 2018. The matches for the World Cup qualifiers will be held at Takshinga, Bulawayo Athletic Club and in Kwe-Kwe. Zimbabwe failed to secure a direct entry into the World Cup 2019, which is set to take place in England.
The countries to participate will be West Indies, Afghanistan, Ireland and the hosts Zimbabwe. Bangladesh was initially scheduled to host the event but Asian side has qualified directly for the tournament due to their world ranking.
The qualifiers will be a 10-team event with the top two sides getting entry into the tournament proper to be held in the UK in 2019. The final two teams to qualify for the World Cup 2019 will battle for a spot in Zimbabwe. The four bottom placed ODI nations will be joined by top four World Cricket League Championship teams and two World Cricket League Divison 2 teams.
The teams from World Cricket League Championship have not been finalised with matches still underway.
This could boost to Zimbabwean cricket and big names are expected to play in the matches.