Nepal faces UAE in crucial ICC World Cup League-2 match today

Kathmandu – In the first match of the sixth series of the ICC World Cup League-2, Nepal faces familiar rivals UAE today. This tournament, considered a basis for the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification, poses significant challenges for both Nepal and UAE.

The match, starting at 9:15 AM at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, sees both teams aiming to climb up from the bottom of the standings. Nepal, having played 20 matches, is in seventh place with 12 points, while UAE is at the bottom with 10 points.

For Nepal, this series is crucial not only for World Cup qualification but also to maintain its ODI status. The top four teams in League-2 will directly qualify for the World Cup selection, while the bottom four will have to play in the playoffs.

Despite a positive showing in the T20 World Cup held in America and the West Indies two months ago, both Nepal and UAE have struggled to perform as expected in the 50-over format. Therefore, securing a victory in today’s match is essential for both teams.

Recently, UAE has proven to be a tough opponent for Nepal. Since a defeat in July 2023, Nepal has not managed a win against UAE. Last year, in October and November, Nepal lost both League-2 matches held in UAE.

However, playing on home ground with local support, Nepal often appears strong. In the past, Nepal has achieved miraculous results by winning 11 out of the last 12 matches in similarly challenging situations, a feat the team aims to replicate.

Alongside Nepal and UAE, Oman is also participating in this series. Oman is in a strong position, sitting third in the standings with 29 points from 24 matches. On their last visit to Kathmandu, Oman achieved a ‘clean sweep’ against Nepal and America.

Nevertheless, Nepal’s ‘A’ team recently defeated Oman by 115 runs in a practice match on Friday, boosting the morale of the Nepali team. To retain their ODI status and keep their World Cup journey alive, Nepal is under pressure to secure a clear victory in today’s match, leveraging the home ground advantage.