First Round sides prepare for valuable fixtures in lead-up to T20 World Cup

With the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup now just 50 days away from beginning, many of the Associate teams competing in the First Round have organised some vital match practice before the tournament begins on October 17. 

Ireland recently defeated Zimbabwe 3-2 in a five match T20 series, which is now being followed by three ODI’s, with both teams competing for crucial ICC ODI Super League points. These matches will be played across venues in Dublin, Belfast and Bready. Ireland will be pleased with the result in the Zimbabwe T20’s, and also have warm up games scheduled against PNG and Bangladesh, with more fixtures expected to be announced once they arive in the host nation.

Zimbabwe will then travel to Scotland for three T20’s, which will be played in the middle of next month. 

Many of Namibia’s incumbent national players played vital roles in their recent T20 and 50-over clean sweeps against Zimbabwe Emerging. They will hope that their form from this series carries over to their matches against South African province the Titans, who are playing four T20s and one 50 over match on a short tour to the country.

Papua New Guinea will make a long-awaited return to international cricket when they take on a swathe of teams in ODI cricket next month. The Barramundis are scheduled to take on Oman, USA, Nepal and Scotland in 50 over cricket before the World Cup begins. Their last official international fixture took place in 2019, so this match practice will be golden for PNG, who have already released their squad for the World Cup.

Oman have a similar lead-up to the tournament, as well as two T20’s against Sri Lanka a week before the tournament begins. 

The Netherlands have no international fixtures arranged at this stage, but recently played a domestic T20 tournament featuring those vying for a spot in their World Cup squad. 

Full members Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who will also feature in the First Round, have T20 series against New Zealand and South Africa to contend with before the tournament begins.

With COVID-19 bio-bubbles and other precautions making it difficult for these nations to hold international matches in the last 18 months, these games will be very important in the lead up to this major ICC event.