Nepal failed to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup after their final match against Afghanistan was canceled due to rain. A win was essential for Nepal, while a washout favored Afghanistan due to a better net run rate. Historically, Nepal has participated in the U-19 World Cup eight times but fell short this year after a strong performance in prior matches against Afghanistan.
Nepal has missed the opportunity to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup after their crucial match against Afghanistan in the ICC U-19 Asia Qualifier was canceled due to rain. The match, which took place at Mulpani Cricket Ground, required Nepal to secure an outright victory to qualify. However, the wet conditions from persistent rain left parts of the playing field unusable, resulting in a washout that disqualified Nepal from further contention.
Heading into this decisive match, both Nepal and Afghanistan were tied on points, having each won their last three matches. However, Afghanistan maintained a better net run rate of 4.81 compared to Nepal’s 3.57, which ultimately decided the outcome. The tournament included five teams—Nepal, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong—with only one team earning a spot in the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup.
In previous encounters, Nepal had triumphed over Afghanistan, including a one-wicket victory in the last World Cup held in South Africa and a win in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup last November. Nonetheless, Afghanistan demonstrated their strength by winning a three-match bilateral series against Nepal 2-1, showcasing a competitive edge leading up to the qualifier. Historically, Nepal has appeared in the ICC U-19 World Cup eight times, underscoring their experience on the international stage.
Nepal’s disqualification from the ICC U-19 World Cup highlights the impact of external factors such as weather on competitive sports. Despite previous successes against Afghanistan, the team’s inability to secure a win in the qualifier coupled with Afghanistan’s superior net run rate ultimately led to Nepal’s failure to qualify. This event marks a significant setback for Nepal, which had aimed to build upon its past experiences in U-19 tournaments.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
