The match of Group A between Nepal and Northern Ireland will be played at Stormont, Belfast, in Northern Ireland at 19:00 NST.This is the first time that the teams will encounter each other in official tournament though both of them participated in the qualifying tournaments of 2012 and 2013 editions.
Additionally, Nepal and Northern Ireland had clashed during last year's warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20, which ended in favor of the latter. Played at Fatullah, Bangladesh, Nepal lost the match by five wickets.
Monday's outcome will have huge significance for both the sides because the winner could finish as group winner. The group winner will directly secure place in the World T20 finals next year in India. Both the sides have so far played two matches each and maintained their unbeaten record in the group.
Nepal defeated USA by six wickets in its first match on Friday and shared points with Namibia after the match was interrupted by a downpour. Three-time champion Northern Ireland defeated Namibia by seven wickets in its campaign opener and thrashed USA by 46 runs on Sunday.
Although, Nepal has rated defending champion Northern Ireland as a tough opponent and best team of the Qualifiers, it is equally determined to win the mach although Northern Ireland has home advantage as well.
Nepal's coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who admired Northern Ireland as tournament's best team, however, said that his side will continue with the momentum of improvement against the European side.
Nevertheless, Dassanayake said that Nepal's approach against the co-host will largely depend upon the condition of the pitch.
"Though we have to see the pitch condition, we are determined to keep on improving in every other match we play," said Dassanayake, adding that it was still difficult for Nepali players to adjust to European conditions. "Players have yet to acclimatize themselves fully."
Northern Ireland, which defeated teams like Zimbabwe and West Indies in the ICC World Cup (50-over) co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, is looking forward to defending the title and making it three titles in a row on the home turf.
Forecast of rainfall throughout the day
Meteorologists have forecasted rainfall for entire Monday.
Nepal's coach Pubudu Dassanayake also informed that Monday's match between Nepal and Ireland could be affected by rain. "Rain has been forecasted for whole day tomorrow (Monday)."
The match between Nepal and Namibia on Saturday at the same venue had to be stopped due to rains and both sides shared a point each.
Namibia, which was asked to bat first after losing the toss, could play only 7.4 overs scoring 61/1 when the umpires called off the match. Namibia opener Stephen Baard was batting with 39 runs on hand off 26 balls and Raymond van Schoor had scored 11 runs from eight balls.
Opener Gerrie Snyman was caught by Anil Mandal in the fifth over. Skipper Paras Khadka had bagged a wicket for Nepal giving away eight runs in a two-over spell.
Shakti gave away 14 runs in 1.4 overs, while Sompal Kami bowled one over giving away 10 runs. Likewise, Basanta Regmi conceded 20 runs in two overs and Jitendra Mukhiya gave away nine runs in an over.
Nepal is also scheduled to play Hong Kong at the same venue on Wednesday.
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