KATHMANDU: Nepal is just one match away from securing a spot in the 2026 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.
The decisive clash takes place today at the Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, where Nepal faces Afghanistan in a high-stakes encounter.
Both Nepal and Afghanistan are tied at 6 points from three matches in the ongoing Asia Qualifiers.
The winner of today’s match will qualify for next year’s U-19 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The two teams currently sit at the top of the table, ahead of Hong Kong, Oman, and the UAE, all of whom remain winless in the tournament.
Both Nepal and Afghanistan head into the crucial clash with momentum on their side, having won all three of their group matches.
Nepal defeated Oman by 8 wickets, UAE by 5 runs (via DLS method), and Hong Kong by 9 wickets. Afghanistan, meanwhile, beat Oman and Hong Kong by 8 wickets each, and secured a dominant 180-run win (via DLS) over the UAE.
Afghanistan currently holds the edge over Nepal in net run rate. If today’s match is affected by rain and ends without a result, it could hurt Nepal’s chances.
The game is scheduled to begin at 9 AM. Prior to this tournament, Nepal and Afghanistan faced each other in a three-match series, which Afghanistan won 2–1.
Nepal has previously qualified for the U-19 World Cup seven times—in five consecutive editions from 2000 to 2008, and again in 2012 and 2016.
The young team is now aiming to make its ninth appearance on the world stage.
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