The cricketing world turns its attention to Nepal as the second edition of the Cricket World Cup League 2 kicks off on February 15th. With a revamped format and increased stakes, the competition promises thrilling battles and a crucial pathway to the 2027 World Cup.
The opening match sees hosts Nepal lock horns with Namibia, followed by the Netherlands joining the fray in a six-match tri-series. This marks the beginning of a three-year competition featuring established forces like defending champions Scotland alongside Oman, USA, UAE, and the newly-promoted Canada. Canada earned their spot by topping the CWC Challenge League 1, replacing Papua New Guinea, which succumbed to relegation.
The new-look League 2 now boasts eight teams competing in successive trilateral series. Each team plays every other team once at home, once away, and once at a neutral venue, guaranteeing a minimum of 24 matches and ensuring a balanced contest.
For the first time, T20 events have been sprinkled across the schedule, with short-format trilateral or bilateral series accompanying almost every League 2 tour. Kathmandu will also host a seven-match T20I tournament from February 27th to March 5th, providing additional exposure and competitive opportunities.
Beyond the excitement of on-field battles, League 2 serves as the primary gateway to the 2027 World Cup. The top four teams will automatically progress to the World Cup Qualifier, with four berths up for grabs in the pinnacle event. Additionally, these teams secure ODI status for the next four years, solidifying their place in the international cricketing landscape.
For those finishing lower, the stakes are equally high. The bottom four teams will enter the Qualifier Playoff, where they will face the top four teams from the CWC Challenge Leagues. Poor performance here could lead to relegation, a fate PNG experienced in the previous cycle.
However, a slight change in the relegation format brings relief to struggling teams. While previously the bottom two faced the chop, this time, with two additional teams entering from the Challenge Leagues, all four bottom-placed teams could be in jeopardy. Yet, finishing 6th or better guarantees safety, keeping the entire table relevant and every match crucial. This resulted in only one dead rubber across 144 matches in the previous edition, and this new format promises even more intense competition.
With every team having something to fight for, League 2 promises an enthralling season of cricket. From securing coveted World Cup berths to maintaining ODI status, each match carries immense significance. Excitement is palpable as Associate nations step onto the global stage, showcasing their talent and vying for a chance to rub shoulders with cricketing giants. This competition serves as a springboard for their cricketing ambitions, and the world is watching with anticipation as League 2 unfolds.
Squads for League 2
Nepal: Rohit Kumar Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Bhim Sharki, Anil Sah, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Dev Khanal, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Kushal Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pawan Sarraf, Surya Tamang
Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit (vc), Zane Green (wk), Nico Davin, Michael van Lingen, Jean-Pierre Kotze, Shaun Fouche, Jan Frylinck, Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Ben Shikongo, Bernard Scholtz, Ruben Trumpelmann, Tangeni Lungameni, Malan Kruger, Jack Brassell
Netherlands:Scott Edwards (c, wk), Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Micheal Levitt, Wesley Barresi, Noah Croes, Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Roelof van der Merwe, Shariz Ahmad, Aryan Dutt, Vivian Kingma, Olivier Elenbaas, Kyle Klein
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