Nepal’s position on the points table of the ICC CWC League 2 cycle (2024-2027) is not much different from what it was during the inaugural cycle (2019 to 2023).

With each of the seven teams in the inaugural League 2 playing 36 matches each, the top three teams progressed to the 2023 World Cup Global Qualifier.

Nepal were placed second-to-last on the points table among seven teams when Monty Desai joined as the head coach in February 2023. And Desai had to ensure his squad won 11 of their last 12 fixtures in the cycle, and entered the Global Qualifier directly as one of the top three teams.

And the Rhinos did it. They won 11 of the 12 games that took place within two months—February and March 2023—and got closer to their maiden berth in a one-day World Cup.

Though Nepal failed in the Global Qualifier, having lost to the West Indies, Zimbabwe and the Netherlands, the comeback in the League 2 was a statement by a young team, which went on to upset the Caribbean side in a T20I series in Sharjah, UAE, in September 2025 and bring the likes of South Africa and England on the edge in the T20 World Cups of 2024 and 2026, respectively.

Meanwhile, the squad, as in 2023, has a similar challenge lingering now. With a new head coach in Stuart Law, the Rhinos now need another comeback in the ongoing League 2 to cement their spot as one of the best Associates in the world.

Nepal are currently second-to-last in the 2024-2027 cycle, which has been expanded to eight teams, with the top four progressing to the Global Qualifier directly. The eight teams are competing against each other across 24 tri-series in the current League 2 cycle, where the number of matches has been increased to 144 from 126 in the seven-team League 2.

The Rhinos have 12 points from five wins in 20 games, of which two ended without a result. They now have 16 games remaining, and they need to emerge victorious in all of them to make sure they do not have to struggle in the 2027 World Cup’s Global Qualifier play-off, increase the risk of relegation to the Challenge League and get demoted in the ICC ranking.

Nepal’s shaky road to consecutive comebacks in League 2 begins after two weeks, as the home of Nepali cricket—TU International Cricket Stadium—is set to host two successive League 2 tri-series.

According to the fixtures revealed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) on Tuesday, Nepal will host the UAE and Oman from April 25 to May 5. It will be followed by Scotland and the USA touring the Himalayas for another tri-series from May 12 to 22.

Nepal were scheduled to host the UAE and Oman in March. However, it was postponed due to tensions in West Asia. Now, the Rhinos will be in action. And with Nepali fans demanding wins, the pressure is high for the Rhinos.

Difficult opponents?

Nepal have already faced the upcoming four opponents—the UAE, Oman, Scotland and the USA—in the League 2 cycle underway since February 2024.

In the 2024-2027 cycle, the Rhinos have played against the UAE and Oman twice each. Regarding the USA and Scotland, Nepal have played them four times each already.

The results? Nepal have lost twice to the UAE, while a possible second loss to Oman was averted due to rain in King City, Canada, in September 2024.

Rohit Kumar Paudel-led Nepal have defeated Scotland twice in the four fixtures, which include a loss and a match in Dallas, USA, in November 2024, abandoned due to rain.

However, Law’s side has lost all four of their encounters with the USA.

Moreover, the USA, Scotland and Oman are three of the current top four teams on the points table. The UAE, on the other hand, are placed even below Nepal with 10 points from five wins in 20 games.

The USA are at the top with 36 points from 18 wins in 24 games. They are followed by the Scots, whose six games have ended without a result, with 32 points from 13 wins in 26 matches.

With three of their matches abandoned due to the weather, Oman, with 27 points from 12 wins in 22 games, are fourth after the Dutch, who have 28 points from 13 wins in 24 matches.

Thus, though it will be difficult, Nepal will need to win all of their remaining 16 fixtures across four tri-series if Paudel and his teammates want another miraculous comeback in the League 2 and directly qualify for the next stage.

Upcoming fixtures

Each tri-series in the League 2 is played across a double round-robin format. As a result, each team will play four matches in a tri-series, having faced each opponent in the tri-series twice.

Similarly, out of the eight tri-series for each team, three will be home series and six will be away.

Having hosted the first tri-series of the 2024-2027 League 2 cycle, comprising Namibia and the Netherlands in February 2024, Nepal’s upcoming two series will be their final League 2 fixtures at home.

Nepal are facing the UAE on April 25 and May 1, and Oman on April 29 and May 5. Oman and the UAE will come face-to-face on April 27 and May 3.

The next series will begin with Nepal facing Scotland on May 12, and the duo’s next fixture is set for May 18. Nepal will play the USA on May 16 and 22. The two visitors, meanwhile, will play each other on May 14 and 20.