The schedule of World Cup Qualifying Series Division II. Nepal had to win the tournament to keep alive hopes of reaching the 2007 World Cup.
Nepal will face Papua New Guinea in the opening match of the World Cup Qualifying Series Division II, the tournament that Nepal must win to keep alive any hopes of qualifying for the Cricket World Cup 2007, on February 21 next year at Kelab Aman Ground in Malaysia.
Nepal is drawn along with Italy, Kuwait and Papua New Guinea in Group A of the repechage tournament while Cayman Islands, Qatar, Fiji and Zambia comprise of Group B. The winner of the event will claim the last remaining twelfth spot for the ICC Trophy 2005.
Nepal face Kuwait at Selangor Turf Club on February 22 before playing Italy in the last league match on February 23 at Royal Selangor Club. The semifinals are scheduled for February 25 while the final will be held on February 26. February 27 is a reserve day.
Papua New Guinea qualified for WCQS II from East Asia Pacific along with Fiji while Italy is the European Division B champion. Kuwait and Qatar were the semifinalists in the Fifth ACC Trophy held at the same venue in June while Nepal grabbed the fifth position to book a place in WCQS II. Cayman Islands and Zambia qualified from America and Africa respectively.
The winner of WCQS II will be placed in the Group B for the ICC Trophy 2005 along with Holland, Scotland, Oman, Namibia and Canada while Group A comprises of hosts Ireland, Denmark, UAE, Uganda, USA and Bermuda. The top five finishers from the ICC Trophy will qualify for World Cup 2007.
World Cup Qualifying Series II
21-27 February 2005, Malaysia
Fixture
Feb 21 Italy vs Kuwait Royal Selangor Club
Cayman Islands vs Fiji Selangor Club
Nepal vs PNG Kelab Aman
Qatar vs Zambia Bayuemas
Feb 22 Cayman Islands vs Qatar Royal Selangor Club
Kuwait vs Nepal Selangor Club
Fiji vs Zambia Kelab Aman
Italy vs PNG Bayuemas
Feb 23 Italy vs Nepal Royal Selangor Club
Qatar vs Fiji Selangor Club
Kuwait vs PNG Kelab Aman
Cayman Islands vs Zambia Kilat Club
Feb 25 Semifinal 1 (A1 vs B2) Selangor Club
Semifinal 2 (A2 vs B1) Bayuemas
Plate SF 1 (A3 vs B4) Kelab Aman
Plate SF 2 (A4 vs B3) Kilat Club
Feb 26 Final Royal Selangor Club
Third Place Playoff Kilat Club
Fifth Place Playoff Selangor Turf Club
Seventh Place Playoff Kelab Aman
Feb 27 Reserve Day