ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Final Groups And Fixtures Confirmed For ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022

Zimbabwe defeated the Netherlands to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B, earning a berth in Group B for the First Round of the Australia 2022 tournament together with Ireland, Scotland, and the West Indies.

Between October 16 and November 13, 2022, Australia will play host to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time ever, with the First Round taking place in Geelong and Hobart.

Zimbabwe To Play Their Opening T20 World Cup Game Against Ireland

On October 17, in Hobart, the Men’s T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe will play their opening match against fellow qualifier Ireland. The afternoon match will feature Scotland vs. West Indies, and the evening game will be part of a doubleheader.

Runner-up Netherlands will play their inaugural match against the United Arab Emirates on the first day of the World Cup in Geelong, joining Sri Lanka, Namibia, and the United Arab Emirates in Group A. The 2014 World Cup winners Sri Lanka will play Namibia in the opening T20 World Cup match, which will take place in the evening.

Zimbabwe Wins T20 World Cup Qualifiers

In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B, on a day of low-scoring matches, hosts Zimbabwe defeated the Netherlands by 37 runs in the championship match after being held to just 132 batting first. The Dutch lost six wickets for just 17 runs during a session in which Sikandar Raza took four for eight from his four overs, making him the hero for the home team.

As Zimbabwe fell from 93 for three to 132 all out, Logan van Beek (3/18), who had earlier played a significant role for the Netherlands, removed both captain Craig Ervine and Raza.

In response, the Dutch got off to a respectable start, reaching 45 for two before the wickets began to fall, with Raza catching Stephan Myburgh (22) leg before for his first and, perhaps, the game’s most significant wicket.

Zimbabwe And Netherlands Captains Share Their Thoughts After Game

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine said: “It’s unbelievable. This is what we used to know Zimbabwe cricket to be like, all the supporters coming out and cheering for us.

And over the past week, we’ve definitely given them something to cheer about. From the players’ point of view, it’s good to see the cheers and the happiness back in the crowd.

“We’ve just got to concentrate on what we have done over this week. The World Cup First Round is in October so there is plenty of time between now and then to have a chat and think about how we are going to go about that.”

Netherlands captain Scott Edwards said: “Both teams came out here to win and they were too good for us today. We got what we came here for in qualifying for the World Cup, it’s just a little bit disappointing that we couldn’t perform in the final.”

“Each group (at the World Cup) has got its challenges so we’ll prepare for Australia and the teams we are playing against and see how we go,” he added.

Group A: Namibia, Sri Lanka, UAE, Netherlands

Group B: Ireland, Scotland, West Indies, Zimbabwe

Group 1: Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Winner Group A, Runner-Up Group B

Group 2: India, Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, Runner Up Group A, Winner Group B

Also Read: Pat Cummins Rested, Josh Inglis left out: Australia Name Strong Squad For Top End ODI Series