The top two teams of the tournament will qualify into the Division 3, while the bottom two are to be relegated to Division 4.
The first match against Singapore is likely to be played under a renewed sense of rivalry between the two Asian associate cricketing nations. Nepal and Singapore have played each other twice in 50-over format and Nepal had won both the matches.
In this scenario, Nepal wants to continue its winning streak against Singapore, while the latter will look forward to avenge the past defeats.
Nepal had defeated Singapore by 16 runs during the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 that took place in Kathmandu in 2010. Singapore could not qualify into the Division 4 as it fell behind Nepal in the points table because of poor net run rate.
Nepali audience hurled stones on the ground during the match between Nepal and the USA helping Nepali team to maintain better run rates than Singapore. The event had set off bitter rivalry between Nepal and Singapore.
A month after the Division 5, Nepal and Singapore clashed during the ACC Trophy 2010 held in Kuwait, where Nepal won the match by seven wickets.
Singapore qualified for the Division 4 in February, winning the 2012 edition of Division 5 held in its home.
Nepal had played Division 4 held in Italy in 2010 but failed to qualify for Division 3 as Nepal could not meet a target of 118-run against Tanzania and lost the match by nine runs. However, Nepal had defeated Tanzania by 10 wickets in the third place playoff during the tournament held in Italy.
Nepali cricketers have not a single 50-over match since the Division 5 tournament either at the international or domestic level. However, Nepali team played a couple of 50-over practice matches last week in Sri Lanka during its preparation for the Division 4.
We´re here to win tournament: Khadka
As Nepali cricket team is about to start its Division 4 campaign in Malaysia from Monday, Republica interviewed Nepali skipper Paras Khadka by email. Excerpts:
What is it like to compete in a world cricket league abroad?
World Cricket League is the best opportunity for any team to qualify into the 50-over World Cup. It provides equal opportunity to all. More than difficulty, it becomes pretty hard for teams to maintain that consistency and move up the ladder as only two teams can make it through to the higher level.
If one goes by the stats, most of the times the host teams have achieved promotion to the World Cricket League.
Being a host team has its advantages in terms of familiarity with local conditions and other aspects, but then in the end you have to play a good cricket and that is what matters.
Nepali players have not played any 50-over match at the international level since the last Division 4. Also, not a single 50-over tournament was held at domestic level in the last 15 months. Will it have any effect?
It´s true that we have not played enough 50-over international matches but a team should not make use of such excuses. We toured Sri Lanka recently and got to play some good matches. We must move forward positively. Patience is the key to success, especially, in this format.
How do you see the Malaysian team that is coached by Roy Dias, a former Nepal coach? Malaysia is also the host this time.
Roy is a professional coach who travels around and coaches different teams. We are here to compete against each and every team and ultimately to win the tournament. This is our final chance to try and compete for the 2015 World Cup!
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