WI faces UAE in ODIs ahead of World Cup Qualifiers 

West Indies will clash with United Arab Emirates in a three match One-Day International (ODIs) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium  as part of their preparations for ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

The day-night series will run from June 5-9  where both teams will depart for Zimbabwe at the end of the series for their World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins on June 18. The World Cup Qualifier will confirm the remaining spots for the ten-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, India.

Cricket West Indies’ Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams said, “This is our first 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 preparations ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.”

“It will also allow those players not going 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 Emrites Cricket Board (ECB) to arrange the three matches and we see this as a partnership which can grow in the future.”

General Secretary of the ECB, Mubashshir Usami 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 raised UAE cricket’s profile.”

He added, “We look forward to welcoming the West Indian team. We want to thank CWI for their continuous support towards cricket development in the UAE.”

The tour will mark the second ODI series for West Indies this year.