Nepal Fails to Qualify for ICC U-19 World Cup Following Rain-Out

Nepal failed to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup due to a rain-canceled match against Afghanistan. They needed a win, while Afghanistan could qualify with a washout, leading to Nepal’s exit from the qualifier. Despite previous victories against Afghanistan, Nepal could not overcome this challenge, finishing behind them in the standings.

Nepal has unfortunately failed to secure a spot in the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup, which is set to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia next year. This disappointment arose from the cancellation of their final match against Afghanistan during the ICC U-19 Asia Qualifier due to persistent rain at Mulpani Cricket Ground on Saturday.

In this decisive match, Nepal needed a clear victory to qualify, while a washout or draw would have sufficed for Afghanistan, who boasted a superior net run rate. The rain began on Friday night and continued through Saturday morning, resulting in a waterlogged outfield despite attempts to dry the inner circle.

Match officials assessed the conditions but ultimately deemed that even a curtailed 20-over contest could not be conducted, leading to the decision to abandon the match. Both Nepal and Afghanistan entered this crucial game tied on points, each having won their last three matches, yet Afghanistan led the round-robin group with a net run rate of 4.81 compared to Nepal’s 3.57.

The tournament consisted of five teams—Nepal, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong—with only the top team advancing to the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup. Previously, Nepal had bested Afghanistan by one wicket in the last World Cup held in South Africa and again during the ACC U-19 Asia Cup last November. However, Afghanistan had emerged victorious in a preceding bilateral series against Nepal with a 2-1 record.

In summary, Nepal’s inability to secure qualification for the ICC U-19 World Cup following the rain-induced cancellation of their match against Afghanistan highlights the challenges faced in competitive sports. Despite past successes against Afghanistan, Nepal’s performance in this qualifier ultimately fell short, with Afghanistan advancing based on their superior net run rate. Nepal’s continued participation in U-19 tournaments reflects their growing cricketing presence, notwithstanding this setback.

Original Source: kathmandupost.com