KATHMANDU: The Nepali U-19 cricket team is set to face Pakistan in a crucial encounter at the ICC U-19 World Cup on Wednesday.

The match is scheduled to take place at 1:45 PM on Wednesday at the Buffalo Park Cricket Ground in East London, South Africa.

Following a setback in their opening match against New Zealand, where Nepal lost by 54 runs on Sunday, the pressure is mounting on the team to secure a victory against Pakistan.

Nepal will wrap up the group stage with their final match against Afghanistan on January 26.

The 15th edition of the U-19 World Cup, hosted in South Africa, sees 16 countries, including Nepal, competing.

The participating nations are divided into four groups, with Nepal placed in Group ‘D’ alongside Pakistan, Afghanistan, and New Zealand.

In other groups, Group ‘A’ comprises America, Bangladesh, India, and Ireland, while Group ‘B’ includes Scotland, South Africa, the West Indies, and England.

Group ‘C’ features Zimbabwe, Namibia, Australia, and Sri Lanka.

Following the group stage clashes, the top three teams from each group will progress to the next stage, where the 12 advancing countries will be divided into two groups for the Super Six matches.

Each team will play only two matches in the Super Six stage, with the top two teams from both groups advancing to the semi-finals.

India has previously clinched the U-19 World Cup title five times, while Australia has secured it thrice.

Pakistan has two titles to its name, while Bangladesh, South Africa, West Indies, and England have each won the title once.

Nepal, making its seventh appearance in the U-19 World Cup, returned to the competition after an eight-year hiatus.