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Mehluli Sibanda in BULAWAYO
ZIMBABWE have a final opportunity to fine-tune for the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Qualifier when they clash with Papua New Guinea at Bulawayo Athletic Club today.

The Chevrons’ other warm-up match against Ireland was abandoned due to a wet Queens Sports Club outfield on Tuesday.
The umpires deemed the outfield at Queens Sports Club too dangerous for the players and the match was called off without a ball being bowled with the two teams missing out on a chance to test their strength.

PNG had their warm-up match against Scotland at Bulawayo Athletic Club with the Scots winning by seven wickets.
Assad Vala, the PNG captain, described the clash with Zimbabwe as a great opportunity for them to test themselves against better opponents.

“It’s a really good opposition, a Test playing country, it’s really a chance to test ourselves against really good opposition heading into the real games and we want to go in with a lot of confidence so this game is really important for us,’’ said Vala.
Zimbabwe are set to give Cephas Zhuwao a chance to prove his worth ahead of their opening group match with Nepal on Sunday.

The explosive left hander is most likely to open the batting and try and cement his place in the team for the tournament.
Warm-up matches

Today: UAE v West Indies(Harare Sports Club), Afghanistan v Netherlands (Old Hararians), Hong Kong v Nepal (Kwekwe Sports Club), Zimbabwe V PNG (BAC), Scotland v Ireland (Queens Sports Club)