In the final tri-series of the 2019-2023 Cricket World Cup League 2 cycle, Nepal host UAE and PNG, with the men in red and blue desperate for a flying finish.
After claiming victory in the first match of the tri-series over Assad Vala's PNG, Nepal take on UAE on Sunday still needing victories in their last three matches.
Only six points from the final three matches will be enough for Nepal to leapfrog Namibia and finish in the all-important third spot, meaning the equation is simple: win every match and go straight to the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, or be forced to take an extra step to Cricket World Cup 2023 via the Qualifier Playoff later in the month.
Standings
| Teams | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR |
| Scotland (Q) | 36 | 24 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 0.647 |
| Oman (Q) | 36 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 0.039 |
| Namibia | 36 | 19 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 0.298 |
| United States of America | 36 | 16 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 35 | -0.040 |
| Nepal | 33 | 16 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 34 | -0.143 |
| United Arab Emirates | 33 | 14 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 31 | -0.149 |
| Papua New Guinea | 34 | 5 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 11 | -0.681 |
Realising the goal will not be as straightforward, even in spite of the 52-run victory over the Barramundis on Friday. While Nepal's opponents are both eliminated from the top-three race (Namibia would edge UAE by the tiebreaker of most wins should they finish level), the pair are eager to find a winning formula ahead of the Qualifier Playoff. Not only a repechage for World Cup qualification, finishing positions in the Playoff will also decide ODI status and the subsequent make-up of teams taking part in League 2 for the next Cricket World Cup cycle.
League 2 ODIs
FREE on ICC.tv: Watch Highlights of Every League 2 ODI as 7 Teams Chase a Spot at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
The hosts have found their mojo under new head coach Monty Desai, winning eight of their last nine League 2 matches. PNG too have found a rhythm winning three of their last five matches, while it's been a tumultuous period for the Emiratis desperate to turn things around.
The side have made a number of shuffles in a bid to return to winning ways, with Muhammad Waseem taking the captaincy from CP Rizwan, who remains in the playing squad. Former skipper Ahmed Raza meanwhile has joined the coaching staff, after he called time on his playing career last week.
Teams finishing sixth and seventh in League 2 will need to finish above Jersey and Canada in the Qualifier Playoff, beginning later this month, to keep their ODI status and their League 2 spot in the next cycle.
Remaining League 2 fixtures
- Nepal v UAE: 12 March
- Nepal v Papua New Guinea: 13 March
- Papua New Guinea v UAE: 15 March
- Nepal v UAE: 16 March
How to watch on ICC.tv
Every ball of the Cricket World Cup League 2 ODIs will be live and FREE on ICC.tv.
Fans in the ALL regions (other than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan) can watch League 2 matches LIVE on ICC.tv on:
* ICC.tv website
* ICC.tv mobile apps (available in the App Store and Google Play)
* Samsung TV and LG TV apps
Highlights of League 2 ODIs are also available on-demand for FREE on ICC.tv.
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