Nepal failed to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup after their decisive match against Afghanistan was canceled due to rain. Nepal needed a win, while a washout benefited Afghanistan with a better net run rate. This canceled match ends Nepal’s hopes despite their previous victories over Afghanistan in past tournaments. Historically, Nepal has participated in the U-19 World Cup eight times.
Nepal has regrettably failed to secure a spot in the ICC U-19 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia next year. The final match against Afghanistan, crucial for qualification, was unfortunately canceled due to rain at the Mulpani Cricket Ground on Saturday. Nepal required an outright victory in this decisive match, while a washout or draw would have sufficed for Afghanistan, who possessed a superior net run rate.
Persistent rain, which began on Friday evening and continued into Saturday morning, rendered parts of the outfield waterlogged despite attempts to dry the essential areas. Following inspections by match referees and umpires, it was concluded that even a curtailed 20-over match was unfeasible, leading to the cancellation of the game.
Both teams concluded the tournament with three consecutive victories and were equal on points before Saturday’s match. However, Afghanistan proceeded as the group leaders with a net run rate of 4.81, compared to Nepal’s 3.57. The tournament included five teams: Nepal, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, with the sole qualifier earning a berth in the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup.
In past competitions, Nepal had achieved notable victories over Afghanistan, including a one-wicket win in the previous World Cup edition in South Africa, and another win during the ACC U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE last November. Nonetheless, prior to this qualifier, Afghanistan secured a 2-1 victory in a three-match bilateral series against Nepal.
Historically, Nepal has participated in the ICC U-19 World Cup on eight occasions, showcasing their competitive spirit in youth cricket.
The cancellation of the crucial match against Afghanistan due to rain has resulted in Nepal’s failure to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup. Despite previous successes against Afghanistan, they could not secure a spot for the tournament following this disappointing conclusion. Nepal’s net run rate proved insufficient in a tightly contested group, highlighting the competitive nature of the qualifiers and the challenges faced in youth cricket.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
