Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal is hosting the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff in Kathmandu from December 4 to 21.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed Nepal as the host on Friday and also published the tournament’s fixtures.
Four bottom-placed teams from the ICC World Cricket League-2 (WCL-2)—Namibia, Nepal, Canada and UAE—and four teams from the ICC Challenge League—Italy, Uganda, Kuwait and Jersey—will participate in the playoffs. The top four teams from the playoffs will qualify for the final four places in the Global Qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.
These eight teams will play against each other once in the round-robin format. The top four teams after the round-robin stage will qualify for the global qualifier.
Nepal will take on Italy at the TU International Cricket Stadium on December 4, while Namibia will face Uganda at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground on the same day.
The top four teams from WCL-2—US, Scotland, the Netherlands and Oman—as well as West Indies and Ireland have already confirmed their places in the global qualifier.
“The Qualifier Play-off is a crucial stage in the pathway to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, and I am sure all eight teams will be eager to seize this opportunity and secure a place in the next stage,” Gaurav Saxena, ICC General Manager – Events and Operations, said in the statement. “Associate cricket is vital to the continued growth and global development of our sport. Competitions such as this provide teams with valuable opportunities to showcase their talent, gain experience and raise their standards.”
The Global Qualifier will determine the final four teams for the 2027 World Cup. The winner of the Global Qualifier will secure direct entry into the tournament’s group stage, while the teams finishing second, third and fourth will enter the newly formed Super Series.
Fixtures
4 December, Nepal v Italy, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
4 December, Namibia v Uganda, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
5 December, UAE v Jersey, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
5 December, Kuwait v Canada, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
6 December, Nepal v Uganda, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
6 December, Italy v Namibia, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
7 December, Kuwait v Jersey, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
7 December, Canada v UAE, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
9 December, Canada v Italy, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
9 December, Jersey v Uganda, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
10 December, Nepal v UAE, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
10 December, Kuwait v Namibia, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
12 December, Nepal v Jersey, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
12 December, Namibia v Canada, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
13 December, Uganda v Kuwait, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
13 December, UAE v Italy, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
14 December, Nepal v Canada, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
14 December, Jersey v Namibia, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
15 December, Uganda v Italy, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
15 December, UAE v Kuwait, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
17 December, Italy v Kuwait, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
17 December, Jersey v Canada, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
18 December, Nepal v Namibia, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
18 December, Uganda v UAE, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
20 December, Namibia v UAE, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
20 December, Italy v Jersey, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
21 December, Nepal v Kuwait, Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground
21 December, Canada v Uganda, Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground
