Recently, in-form UAE routed Singapore by a whopping 201 runs in their ACC Men’s Premier Cup match and will aim to carry on momentum. File photo

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

As part of their preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, the West Indies men’s cricket team will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against the UAE in Sharjah next month.

The day-night matches will be played on June 5, June 7 and June 9. Both teams will depart for Zimbabwe at the end of the series for their World Cup qualifying campaign which begins on June 18. The all-important tournament will confirm the remaining two spots for the 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India.

General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), Mubashshir Usmani said: "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."

Jimmy Adams, Director of Cricket for Cricket West Indies said: "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.”

Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the new pathway structure and Cricket Calendar for 2023 & 2024. To elucidate, under the revised pathway structure, the 10 Associate teams ranking 9 and above in Asia are supposed to play in the ‘ACC Challenger Cup’. The two finalists from the Challenger Cup joined Asia’s top 8 ranked associate teams in the ‘ACC Premier Cup’, taking the tally to 10 teams.

The winning team of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup will then qualify for the Men’s Asia Cup 2023. The new pathways envisage a linear structure for events giving each of our Associates the opportunity to be part of the journey to the Asia Cup.

The ACC is optimistic that the new model will further Associate involvement and participation and is sure to boost enthusiasm and engagement with the sport across the region. This will also allow Associate Members to rank up as well.

UAE vs West Indies ODI series fixtures

June 5 - UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

June 7 - UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

June 9- UAE vs West Indies, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE