Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: How does the super sixes stage work at the ICC ODI World Cup Qualifier 2023? | ODI WC Qualifier details
On first glance, the Zimbabwe-West Indies match at Harare on June 24 may not have seemed too important given both teams had already qualified to the super sixes of the ICC ODI World Cup Qualifier tournament. Hosts Zimbabwe chased well against Nepal and Netherlands, while the Windies were too strong for USA and Nepal.
However, the match was hugely significant, emphasised by the huge and loud support at Harare Sports Club. The winner would have the luxury of taking those points into the super sixes stage, where the top two teams would then qualify to the ODI World Cup in India.
ICC ODI World Cup Qualifier 2023: How does the super sixes stage work?
As you know, there are two groups of five in the ICC ODI World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Each team plays each other once, with the top three from each group progressing to the next round.
However, every game matters. Teams can take points and net run rate from the group stage into the super sixes. How? By beating other teams who also qualified into the super sixes.
For example, because Zimbabwe beat fellow qualifier West Indies, they will take those two points into the next round. The other team to qualify out of Group A was the Netherlands, who Zimbabwe also beat. So, the hosts have secured a headstart in the super sixes stage, where they will play group B qualifiers Scotland, Oman and Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe also beat Nepal, but because Nepal did not qualify to the next round, Zimbabwe’s points from that match do not count.
Because of their four points and solid net run rate, two wins may be enough to see the Zimbabweans return to the ODI World Cup.
For West Indies, their next match against Netherlands on Monday 26 June is vital. If the Windies lose that match, they will enter the super sixes stage with no points, which makes their qualification hopes almost obsolete.
The same applies for Group B. Sri Lanka and Scotland have both gained two points by beating Oman. Both will then meet on Tuesday for the chance to gain an extra two points to take into the next stage.
