KATHMANDU, Oct 10: Nepal’s hopes of finishing in the top four of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 and securing a direct place in the World Cup Qualifier have ended after Oman defeated Canada by 41 runs on Friday.
Nepal, which finished in the top four in the previous League 2 cycle to qualify for the ODI World Cup Qualifier, has failed to repeat that performance in the 2024–26 cycle. Oman’s victory in the ongoing tri-series in Oman eliminated Nepal from the top-four race with four matches remaining in the league.
The United States, Scotland and the Netherlands have already secured top-four finishes. The US has also clinched the League 2 title, with 47 points from 34 matches. Scotland are second with 45 points from 36 matches, while the Netherlands are third with 38 points from 32 matches.
Oman strengthened its position in fourth place with 33 points from 29 matches. Namibia are fifth with 29 points from 34 matches, while Canada sit sixth with 25 points from 33 matches.
Road to ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 starts in September
Nepal are seventh with 24 points from 32 matches, while the UAE are eighth with 19 points from 30 matches. Even if Nepal win all their remaining matches, they can finish with a maximum of 32 points, leaving them unable to overtake Oman’s current tally.
Nepal will now have to pursue its World Cup qualification hopes through the World Cup Qualifier Play-off scheduled for December. The top four teams in the play-off will advance to the World Cup Qualifier.
Nepal will play its next match against Canada on Sunday in Oman.
In Friday’s match, Oman posted 263 runs in 49.1 overs after batting first. Opener Hasnain UI Wahab narrowly missed a century, scoring 93 off 77 balls in only his third ODI. He shared a 53-run opening stand with Jatinder Singh, who made 34 off 30 balls, and added 113 runs for the second wicket with Mujibur Ali, who scored 39 off 73 balls.
Canada’s Harsh Thaker took four wickets, while Shail Patel and Ajayveer Hundal claimed two wickets each.
In reply, Canada were bowled out for 222 in 48 overs. Aaditya Varadarajan top-scored with 64 off 81 balls, while Thaker scored 40 off 53 balls and Aaron Johnson made 29 off 58 balls.
Oman’s Hassnain Shah took four wickets for 33 runs, while Shakeel Ahmed and Samay Shrivastava claimed three wickets each to secure the 41-run victory.
A separate League 2 series involving the United States, Namibia and the UAE is also underway.
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