World Cup League -2 – A Round up

 

Things have started to turn interesting in World Cup league -2

The World Cup League -2 has resumed in Port Moresby and will be crucial for not only the participants but the other teams who are part of World Cup league -2, Play till Stumps take a look at the chances of all the teams

As the race to qualify for the World Cup 2023 in India has intensified, the triangular tournament at Port Moresby at Papua New Guinea is very important one for Namibia and United States of America who rank at no.5 and no. 3 in the points table.

Among seven teams only three teams who will finish at the top will qualify for the World Cup Qualifiers.  At Present Oman, Scotland and USA sit at the top 3 but Namibia and UAE have also great chance to qualify for the tournament.  A look at the chances of all the teams that have been involved in the battle for the marquee tournament qualification

1.     Oman:  Oman stands at the top of the table with 44 points, however they have played all their 36 matches and their fate depends on the other teams like Namibia and UAE who have still quite a handful of matches to play.  If Captain Zeeshan Maqsood (c) inspires team to qualify for the tournament, it might give a huge push to the sport in country where Football is still the no.1 game by miles.

 

Oman is at no.1 in the table 

2.     Scotland:  Scotland have done exceedingly well at the home round of matches in August 2022  now rank  at no. 2 in the table with 40 points. With still 8 matches to be played by them they have the highest chance of qualifying. Moreover they have the most stable batting and bowling line up among all the contenders and seem favorites to sail through to the qualifiers.

Scotland are favourites to qualify

 

3.  United States Of America -  The USA’s chances have taken a serious blow with losses in last 3 games, while they are no. 3 with 29 Points in 32 games but they are left with only four more games with Namibia and UAE closing in on them having almost dozen games left , USA need to win their remaining games to get themselves a feeling of security.

 

4.   United Arab Emirates (UAE) : UAE Cricket has excelled in past year or so especially with new league T20 being announced, a league that might help UAE Cricketers to get lot of exposure as well. With World Cup Qualification also on the line, the 2023 will be very crucial year of UAE cricket, if they can qualify for the World Cup that might give huge boost for the popularity of the game among locals. With 27 points in 26 games they are no.4 in the table and have huge chance to qualify for the tournament.

2023 will be crucial for UAE Cricket

 

5.      Namibia :  After losing track early in the tournament, Namibia’s WCL campaign seem to have come on the line especially after winning three consecutive games at Port  Moresby. They still need to continue this run if they somehow want to finish among the top three. With 22 points in 20 Matches, they are far from still securing the position.  They need to at least win 9 games of remaining 16 matches to ensure they reach 40 points to be in safer zone.

Namibia has 16 games still to play 

 

6.      Nepal:  With just 8 wins in 20 games Nepal pathway to 2023 World Cup have become difficult, they need to win 12 out of remaining 16 games to reach to 40 points at least. Considering they are against Scotland who are much senior team and used to these pressure situations. The main positive aspect in their favor is that they have to play 8 of those 16 games at home.

 

7.      Papua New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (PNG) is out of the race winning just 2 out of 22 games and cannot qualify for the World Cup now. The Team now can aim to end up on higher note and ensure they keep their confidence high for the future tournaments.

 

There are few more rounds to go till early next year when the pictures for the teams who will qualify for the tournament will become clear but the fag end of the tournament promises lot of thrill and excitement.