With ambitions of retaining their One-Day International (ODI) status, Nepal will kick start their United Arab Emirates Triangular Series of the ICC World Cup League 2, taking on Papua New Guinea (PNG) at DSC in Dubai on Monday.

Apart from Nepal and PNG, the series also features the home team, the UAE. Originally, the series was supposed to be the home event of PNG, but was moved to the UAE due to internal reasons of the home team.

All three teams are yet to play two series – eight matches of League 2. PNG are deep-rooted at the bottom of the table on five points from 28 matches with two wins and a tie. Even victories in all eight remaining matches would not change their position in the team standings.

But the remaining eight games are of great significance for both Nepal and the UAE, who are placed sixth and fifth, respectively, on standings. UAE have 29 points in the seven team table and Nepal 26 points.

The remaining matches will be crucial for both teams to retain their ODI status as well as in securing a direct place in the World Cup Qualifiers. The teams finishing on top three positions will earn a direct berth for the World Cup Qualifiers and the top five teams are supposed to retain their ODI status which is due to end in July. However, International Cricket Council (ICC) has not yet disclosed a clear roadmap about ODI status.

Nepal would be guaranteed a fifth place finish should they win five among the eight remaining matches and they could finish in the top three position, should they win seven games. Similarly, UAE will also secure ODI status should they win four games. Even three victories will be sufficient for a top five finish, if they maintain a better run rate than the United States of America. They need to win five matches to secure a top three position.

“Every game is like the final four for us and we will take one game at a time,” Nepal captain Rohit Paudel said ahead of the team’s departure.

Nepal have been boosted by their clean sweep in the recent home series when they beat Namibia and champions Scotland. “We need to carry on the momentum and current form,” captain Paudel said after winning the last game of the series.

Nepal have played twice each against both sides in the UAE’s home series of League 2 held during March last year. While Nepal had defeated PNG in both games by two wickets and seven wickets, they lost both their matches against the UAE. They lost the games by 48 runs and 99 runs, respectively.

Nepal will be without their influential bowler Sandeep Lamichhane, who faces a travel ban imposed by Patan High Court due to rape accusation against him by a minor. Lamichhane claimed 13 wickets in the recent home series.

Nepal are scheduled to play against the UAE on March 2, PNG the following day before wrapping up the series against UAE.