Sports
Nepal to take on Oman in opener
Nepal will begin their ambitious journey of meeting world cricket’s fiercest rivals India and Pakistan playing against Oman in the ACC Asia Cup Qualifier that begins in Malaysia from August 29 to September 6 in Kuala Lumpur.Nepal will begin their ambitious journey of meeting world cricket’s fiercest rivals India and Pakistan playing against Oman in the ACC Asia Cup Qualifier that begins in Malaysia from August 29 to September 6 in Kuala Lumpur.
The Qualifier sends the champions of the six-team competition into September’s Asia Cup that involves cricket’s powerhouse India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka along with Bangladesh and Tests’ new entrants Afghanistan.
The winner of the Qualifier will join India and Pakistan in Group ‘A’ of the September 15-28 Asia Cup which will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Qualifier will give another opportunity to Nepal to lock horns with cricket’s two giants after they were deprived of the opportunity 16 years ago. Nepal had qualified for the 2004 Asia Cup after they entered the final of the 2002 ACC Trophy in Singapore. But after the relations between India and Pakistan soared due to Kargill War, the former decided to end all the relations with Pakistan including cricket, it resulted in the cancellation of the Asia Cup.
Familiar Associate rivals UAE, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore are the other four teams participating in the tournament. The participating teams play each other in the round robin league and the top two teams will meet in the final on September 6. The final winner will then book the tickets to the Asia Cup.
After the match against Oman at the Bayuemas Oval, Nepal will meet UAE in the second match and following a rest day, they take on the hosts at the Bayuemas. Singapore will be up next for Nepal at the UKM Oval on September 2 before wrapping up the league stage with the match against Hong Kong at same venue on September 4.
Nepal’s Fixtures
Aug 29 vs Oman Bayuemas Oval
Aug 30 vs UAE Kinrara Oval
Sept 1 vs Malaysia Bayuemas Oval
Sept 2 vs Singapore UKM Oval
Sept 4 vs Hong Kong UKM Oval