UAE face last-chance play-off to keep Cricket World Cup hopes alive after Nepal defeat

The UAE will have to go through a last-chance play-off to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive after another fateful day for the national team in Dubai.

A day that had started with another change of captain ended in familiar circumstances: a middle-order collapse undermining the UAE’s hopes of victory, as Nepal salvaged another thrilling win.

The troubled seven-month stint of CP Rizwan as captain was brought to an end ahead of the start, as Muhammad Waseem headed out for the toss for the last match of this Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series.

It was around 20 hours since Rizwan had seen his side succumb to PNG at the same venue. The change of leadership had little immediate effect, as old failings remained for the home team.

Waseem, though, said he is honoured to have the role, as well as being grateful to his predecessor for his words of support.

“CP congratulated me and told me I had all his support,” Waseem said. “He told me that what needs to be done will be done for the team. He gave me his backing and wished me well.

“Being told I am leading my country is a big honour for me and my family as well.

“I have been captaining for the past three or four years in domestic cricket and I feel I am pretty competent as a captain.

“It is not about any pressure, it is about delivering what is important right now. Our main task now is to try to ensure the team minimise the mistakes we make.”

The national team lost three of their four matches against Nepal and Papua New Guinea over the course of the past week.

It means they now have no chance of advancing directly to Zimbabwe for the World Cup Qualifier in June. Instead, they will have to play in a six-team qualifier playoff in Namibia at the end of March.

Two teams