UAE, West Indies to play three ODIs in Sharjah ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

UAE is set to host West Indies for a historic three-match One-Day International (ODI) series ahead of their World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. All three matches will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium between June 5 and 9. Both teams will then depart for Zimbabwe at the end of the series for the World Cup Qualifiers, which will begin on June 18. The 10-team event will determine the final two spots for the ODI World Cup, scheduled to be played in India later this year.

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

"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."

UAE and West Indies have played just two ODIs against each other, last of which was incidentally in the Qualifier in Zimbabwe in 2018, which the two-time champions won by 60 runs. 

“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," Jimmy Adams, Director of Cricket for Cricket West Indies, said

"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."

West Indies play the Qualifiers as they failed to finish in the top eight of the ICC World Cup Super League, while the UAE entered the tournament after finishing top two in the Qualifiers play-offs held in Namibia in March-April. 

UAE vs West Indies ODI series:

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