ICC World Cup qualifiers to be televised around the globe

The broadcast will reach across five continents in 200 territories.

West Indies will feature in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers | Getty

With the 2019 Cricket World Cup main event slated to be held in England and Wales, at least 10 teams will fight for two places up for grabs during the qualifiers in March 2018 in Zimbabwe.

There is plenty of buzz surrounding around the event as it will be televised to fans for the first time ever. The broadcast will reach across five continents in 200 territories, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (February 1).

"Ten matches will be broadcast around the globe, significantly building on the four live-streamed match coverage previously seen at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2014 as the ICC continues to build its long-term partnerships with various broadcast partners to widen the reach of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier," the ICC statement read.

Cricket fans can also watch the live coverage online or in their mobile devices as most of the broadcasting partners have the rights to simulcast live ICC event coverage.

The commentary panel for ICC World Cup qualifiers will be comprised of Ian Bishop, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Lisa Sthalekar, Deep Dasgupta, Fazeer Mohammed, Mark Butcher and Dirk Nannes.

"The phenomenal rise of Afghanistan as a cricketing stronghold in such a short time, serves as a cautionary tale to anyone who isn't aware of how fast and how skilfully the game is growing at all levels. With this in mind I am excited to be a part of the broadcast panel that will be on hand to keep you updated as to which two nations will be standing on the pedestal of success on March 25 as they tread the path to leave their mark on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019," Former West Indian fast bowler Ian Bishop said.

The battle for the final two spots will see countries like Afghanistan, Ireland and the hosts Zimbabwe locking horns against each other. However, all eyes will be on two-times world champions and a star-studded West Indies team that had missed out on automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup by finishing outside the top eight on the ICC ODI Team Rankings at the September 30, 2017 (cut-off date).

The 10 teams taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2019 are divided into two groups of five teams. The West Indies, Ireland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and winners of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 re slotted in Group A, while Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and runners-up of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 make up Group B.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 01 Mar, 2018

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