Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 revised qualification pathway schedule announced

Isaac Lockett reports on the resumption of a number of ICC events which all lead to the 2023 men's Cricket World Cup.

CWC League 2
Oman celebrate a wicket during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match between USA and Oman at TU Cricket Stadium on 6 February 2020 in Nepal

Following the postponement of 20 series due to the effects of the ongoing global pandemic, the ICC has announced the rescheduled qualification pathway for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. 

CWC League 2
Oman celebrate a wicket during the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match at TU Cricket Stadium, Nepal on 6 February 2020.

The Men’s Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2 is scheduled to restart on 19 March 2021 with Oman welcoming the USA and Nepal for the sixth tri-series of the league. This series in Oman will see six matches being played and is of great significance to the league as Oman currently sit top of the table with six points while the United States are four points behind.

In total there will be 96 ODIs played across the 14 remaining tri-series scheduled to be played in 2021 and 2022, and the remaining two series taking place in early 2023.  

The Men’s CWC Challenge League A is also scheduled to return as Canada host Denmark, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore and Vanuatu between the 15 and 28 August 2021. The event in Canada is the second of three Challenge League A events and will see 15 matches played over its duration. Currently, Canada and Singapore sit top of the table, separated only by net run rate. Qatar is two points behind in third place. The final event of the Men’s CWC Challenge League A will take place in September 2022.    

USA WCL3 2018 Pubudu
USA celebrate second place and promotion at World Cricket League Division 3 in 2018 (Photo: ICC)

The CWC Challenge League B sees Jersey hosting Bermuda, Hong Kong, Italy, Kenya and Uganda between the 1 and 14 September 2021. Uganda currently sits top of the table with ten points after Round One with Hong Kong three points behind in second place.

Following the conclusion of Men’s CWC League 2, the top three teams will confirm their place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 which is scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, the other four teams from League 2 along with the winner of each of the two Challenge League groups will compete in the Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier play-off, which is to take place in 2023. The top two teams from the CWCQ play-off will also book their place in the Global Qualifier.

EventHostDatesParticipating Teams
ICC Men’s CWC League 2Oman19 – 28 March 2021Oman, USA, Nepal
ICC Men’s CWC League 2PNG14 – 24 April 2021PNG, Oman, Scotland
ICC Men’s CWC League 2PNG13 – 23 May 2021PNG, USA, Namibia
ICC Men’s CWC League 2ScotlandJuly 2021Scotland, Nepal, Namibia
ICC Men’s CWC League 2USAAugust 2021USA, Scotland, UAE
ICC Men’s CWC League 2NamibiaTBCNamibia, Oman, UAE
ICC Men’s CWC League 2UAEDecember 2021UAE, Namibia, Oman
ICC Men’s CWC League 2NepalFebruary 2022Nepal, UAE, PNG
ICC Men’s CWC League 2Namibia25 March – 5 April 2022Namibia, Nepal, Scotland
ICC Men’s CWC League 2ScotlandJune 2022Scotland, UAE, USA
ICC Men’s CWC League 2USAJuly 2022USA, Nepal, Oman
ICC Men’s CWC League 2NamibiaTBCNamibia, PNG, USA
ICC Men’s CWC League 2PNG22 September – 2 October 2022PNG, UAE, Nepal
ICC Men’s CWC League 2Oman22 November – 2 December 2022Oman, Scotland, PNG
ICC Men’s CWC League 2NepalFebruary 2023Nepal, Namibia, Scotland
ICC Men’s CWC League 2UAEFebruary 2023UAE, PNG, Nepal
EventHostDatesParticipating Teams
ICC Men’s Challenge League ACanada15-28 August 2021Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, Vanuatu
ICC Men’s Challenge League BJersey1-14 September 2021Bermuda, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, Kenya, Uganda
ICC Men’s Challenge League BUgandaFebruary 2022Bermuda, Hong Kong, Italy, Jersey, Kenya, Uganda
ICC Men’s Challenge League AMalaysiaSeptember 2022Canada, Denmark, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, Vanuatu
EventHostDatesParticipating Teams
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super LeagueVariousJuly 2020 – March 2023Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-OffTBC2023Bottom teams from Men’s CWC League 2 x4Top teams from Challenge Leagues A and B x2
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup QualifierZimbabwe18 June – 9 July 2023Bottom teams from Men’s CWC Super League x5Top teams from Men’s CWC League 2 x3Top teams from Men’s CWC Qualifier Play-Off x2
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023IndiaOctober – 26 November 2023India as HostsTop teams from Men’s CWC Super League x7Top teams from Men’s CWC Qualifier x2

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Hope all the big 3 teams finish outside the top 8. Even though, it’s not gonna happen, if it happens ICC would immediately increase the number of teams in the Wold Cup ?

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