The schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier was announced at a function at the University Oval yesterday.
The tournament will be held in New Zealand from January 13 to February 1. Ten teams will compete for the remaining two spots at the 2015 World Cup. Entry is free to all 34 games, some of which will be staged in Queenstown. The resort will host four group A matches. Scotland plays Hong Kong on the opening day and Nepal on January 16.
Nepal and Hong Kong play on January 19 and the final game is between the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong on January 23. All those games will be played at the Queenstown Events Centre.
Matches will also be played in New Plymouth, Mount Maunganui and Christchurch.
Christchurch is the big winner, with Hagley Oval poised to make its international debut and games also assigned to venues at Lincoln and Rangiora.
The 10 teams have been divided into two groups of five, with the top three sides progressing into the super sixes stage. The final is at Lincoln on February 1. The winner will join New Zealand's pool at the World Cup proper with the runner-up earning a spot in pool B.
''I am certain this is going to to be a fantastic event here in New Zealand,'' ICC president Alan Isaac said.
''Many of the top associate and affiliate members are evenly matched and I am expecting some thrilling matches during the tournament.''
