Kathmandu, November 21
The 2016 season of the ICC World Cricket League has come to an end following the end of Hong Kong’s tour of Kenya on Sunday.
The League, which began in 2015 will conclude in 2017, and the sides that top the table in the end get a chance to play the ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2019. All teams have now played eight matches. Papua New Guinea lead the table with 12 points, followed by the Netherlands (12), Hong Kong (11), Kenya (8) and Nepal (6). Namibia and the UAE are the two teams at the bottom of the league.
Here’s the table:
What are Nepal’s chances?
Nepal have only won three of their eight matches so far. Out of the three wins, only one has come playing abroad. In early 2017, Nepal are likely to play Kenya in Kathmandu, then head to Hong Kong in July and host the UAE in the second half of the year.
Going by the table standings for now, Hong Kong, Kenya and Nepal are likely to face a tough battle next year to at least get to or retain or the fourth spot in the league.
But for Nepali fans, it’s good news that Hong Kong and Kenya are yet to face the tougher-to-beat sides in the tournament. Hong Kong are yet to play the mighty Netherlands and Papua New Guinea. Kenya are yet to play Nepal, a team that’s not easy to beat at home, and they have the Netherlands and Scotland to play against.
Also, it should be noted that the ICC has not clearly said it will promote the top four teams to the qualifiers, it has just said ‘top teams’ will get a shot at playing the World Cup.
