Nepal's World Cup qualifier playoff schedule released, first match against Italy

The match schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Playoff to be held in Nepal has been released. According to the schedule published by the International Cricket Council, ICC, the tournament will run in Kathmandu from December 4 to 21.

Host Nepal will play the opening match against Italy on December 4. Nepal will then play Uganda on December 6, the United Arab Emirates on December 10, and Jersey on December 12. Nepal will play its final matches against Canada on December 14, Namibia on December 18, and Kuwait on December 21.

The opening match will be held at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, while Namibia and Uganda will face off at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground the same day. All matches of the tournament will be held at these two venues.

The eight-team tournament will be played in a round-robin format, with each team playing seven matches. Nepal, Namibia, Canada and the UAE, who finished at the bottom of the World Cup League 2, are joined by Italy, Kuwait, Uganda and Jersey, who came through the Challenge League.

The top four teams will secure a place in the Global Qualifier for the 2027 ODI World Cup. West Indies, Ireland, the USA, Scotland, the Netherlands and Oman have already secured places in the Global Qualifier, with the USA, Scotland, the Netherlands and Oman qualifying by finishing in the top four of League 2. With the four teams coming from this playoff, there will be 10 teams in next year's Global Qualifier.