ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff starts in Nepal on December 4

Eight teams will compete in Nepal from December 4 to 21 for four places in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2027, according to the ICC. The round-robin Qualifier Playoff opens with hosts Nepal playing Italy at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, while Namibia and Uganda contest a match at the Mulpani Cricket Ground. Canada, Kuwait, Jersey and the United Arab Emirates complete the eight-team field.

Pathway to the World Cup

The playoff determines which teams reach the 10-team Global Qualifier, where Ireland and the West Indies are already placed as the two highest-ranked teams outside the eight automatic World Cup qualifiers, excluding hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The USA, Scotland, the Netherlands and Oman qualified directly from the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.

Victory at the Global Qualifier secures direct entry to the group stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, while second, third and fourth will enter the newly formed Super Series.

The World Cup 2027

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21, featuring 14 teams and 57 matches across 12 venues. Cricket is the most popular sport in Nepal and has grown rapidly since the mid-2010s.

ICC Statement

The Qualifier Playoff 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.

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 progress these teams have shown in recent years is encouraging, and I am confident we will witness some exciting and competitive cricket. On behalf of the ICC, I wish all the teams the very best.

Full Fixture List

December 4: Nepal versus Italy at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Namibia versus Uganda at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. December 5: UAE versus Jersey at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Kuwait versus Canada at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground.

December 6: Nepal versus Uganda at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Italy versus Namibia at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. December 7: Kuwait versus Jersey at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Canada versus UAE at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground.

December 9: Canada versus Italy at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Jersey versus Uganda at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. December 10: Nepal versus UAE at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Kuwait versus Namibia at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground.

December 12: Nepal versus Jersey at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Namibia versus Canada at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. December 13: Uganda versus Kuwait at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; UAE versus Italy at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground.

December 14: Nepal versus Canada at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground; Jersey versus Namibia at Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground. December 15: Uganda versus Italy at Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.

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• Oman secure spot at 2027 men's World Cup Qualifiers

• Kabaddi World Cup winners list: every men's and women's champion

Sources

• icc-cricket.com

• thenewsmill.com