KATHMANDU, June 19: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is planning to include Nepal in the proposed 13-team ODI league (50-over) reportedly featuring 10-Test nations. However, ICC has imposed ban on Cricket Association of Nepal since April 25.
As per the report of Cricinfo.com, the global cricket governing body is planning to introduce the format from 2019 and Associate member Nepal has high chance to earn a place in the league based on the fans following.
Besides the 10-Test nations, Afghanistan and Ireland will get chance to feature in the league to be played for three years.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, Zimbabwe, South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia are the Test nations (full members).
Upon the introduction of the league, all teams will play three matches against 12 teams over a period of three years in home or away format. On the basis of the format, a team will play 36 matches.
The league could also be used to determine automatic qualification and seeding, for the World Cup.
The top two teams will play play-off match to determine the overall winner, while team finishing bottom after three years would face relegation to the World Cricket League Championship, the second tier of one-day cricket, possibly after a play-off with the winner of the World Cricket League Championship.
However, the plan if executed, could be controversial as Nepal, which is currently playing World Cricket League Championship, is in the sixth position at the end of third round. Each team will play seven-round matches in the eight-team competition.
The Netherlands currently sits on the top position, while Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Kenya are in the top five positions.
As per the report, the ICC was impressed by the game's popularity in Nepal, and is considering promoting Nepal regardless of its current standing in the championship.
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