Kathmandu, March 16: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is now batting against Nepal in the final match of the triangular one-day series of ICC Men’s World Cup Cricket League-2.
Winning the toss, UAE Captain Mohammad Wasim decided to bat first in the match at the Kirtipur-based Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.
Nepal has included Gulshan Jha in place of Karan KC in today’s match. Nepali squad comprises captain Rohit Kumar Poudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Narayan Rajbamshi, Asif Sheikh, Kushal Malla, Bhim Sarki, Arif Sheikh, Deependra Singh Airi and Sompal Kami along with Jha.
This is the final match of the tournament participated in by seven national teams.
Today’s match is taken decisive for Nepal to qualify for the next World Cup. If win today, Nepal would remain in the list of top three and thus eligible for one-day WC Global selection. If lose, Nepal requires to play qualifier play-off to be held in Namibia at the end of this month. If Nepal does not win today, Namibia would be qualified for WC selection match.
Now Nepal is in the fourth position in the tally with wins in 18 matches and 15 loses in the League-2. The UAE is in sixth position with 33 points from 33 matches.
Meanwhile, UAE has scored 118 with the loss of 3 wickets. Nepali bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi has taken one wicket each. Batsman Chundangapoyil Rizwan was run out.
UAE’s dangerous batsman and Muhammad Waseem scored 63 runs facing 49 balls. He was out lbw on Sandeep’s ball.
Now, Vriitya Aravind (31) and Aayan Afzal Khan (0) are on crease.
