Windies in Zimbabwe for qualifying bid

West Indies received a rousing welcome at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Zimbabwe on Sunday evening as they became the first team to arrive for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers starting next month.

A traditional dance group put on a cultural extravaganza at the airport, with dozens of local cricket fans also on hand to greet the two-time former 50-overs World Cup champions.

Members of the Local Organizing Committee and government representatives also welcomed the Caribbean side.

Another batch of Windies players and officials are expected to touch down on Monday.

The Caribbean side are one of 10 teams down to do battle in the March 4-25 tournament, as they vie for the remaining two spots at the showpiece in England next year.

West Indies open their campaign on March 6 against United Arab Emirates, who won the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 last week, to book their spot in the qualifiers.

They, along with Ireland, the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea comprise Group A while Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Nepal form Group B.

The top three from each group will advance to the Super Sixes, where they will each play three matches against teams they did not meet in the preliminaries.

The finalists will secure the final two berths at the ICC World Cup from May 30 to July 15 next year.