Battle intensifies as teams just two steps away from ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

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Points up for grabs as round 6 of ICC World Cricket League Championship set to begin

The battle for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 intensifies as the next round of fixtures of the ICC World Cricket League Championship gets underway this month, giving Associate teams the opportunity to make it to the 50-over pinnacle event.

83 teams started the qualification process in 2013 and the eight teams in this competition are just two steps away from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to be played in England and Wales.  Round 6 of the World Cricket League Championship begins in Windhoek, Namibia with the bottom of the table clash between Namibia and the United Arab Emirates on 21 and 23 September.

PNG and Scotland, who trail table-toppers Netherlands (16 points) by two and three points respectively, face each other in Port Moresby on 6 and 8 October. Kenya, who are currently in fifth place with 10 points, one point behind the fourth and final crucial qualification spot to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, take on the Netherlands in Nairobi on the same dates.

The final matches of round 6 take place between Hong Kong and Nepal on 13 and 15 October. Hosts Hong Kong will look to cement their fourth position, whereas Nepal are three points behind Hong Kong on eight points and are still not out of the reckoning for the final qualifying spot.

Round 7 will be played on 6 and 8 December, where the top four teams in the standings will qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018. The bottom four teams will take part in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in early 2018 – giving them another chance to qualify for the global qualifier.

Meanwhile, the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup is also set to resume with Namibia and the United Arab Emirates, who are both on 27 points at the foot of the table, facing each other between 16 and 19 September.

Scotland will be looking for their first win of the competition when they face PNG between 1 and 4 October. Afghanistan are still looking to catch Ireland at the top of the table, and will be looking for victory against Hong Kong in their match starting on 20 October.

Ireland have already faced the Netherlands in their round 6 fixture in Malahide which ended in a draw. Round 7 of the Intercontinental Cup culminates just before the WCL Championship from 29 November to 2 December.

ICC Head of Global Development, William Glenwright: “We are at a very exciting time for these competitions, with two rounds to go, there is a great battle to qualify for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018. With teams just two steps away from England and Wales there is a lot at stake and we’re looking forward to some compelling cricket over the coming month.”

ICC World Cricket League Championship round 6 fixtures

Namibia v United Arab Emirates, Windhoek - Sep 21 and 23 – 1100 local time

Papua New Guinea v Scotland, Port Moresby - Oct 6 and 8 – 0930 local time

Kenya v Netherlands, Nairobi - Oct 6 and 8 – 0930 local time

Hong Kong v Nepal, Mong Kok - Oct 13 and 15 – 0930 local time

ICC Intercontinental Cup round 6 fixtures and results

Namibia v United Arab Emirates, Windhoek - Sep 16-19 - 1100 local time

Papua New Guinea v Scotland, Port Moresby - Oct 1-4- 1000 local time

Hong Kong v Afghanistan, Mong Kok - Oct 20-23, 2017 - 1000 local time

Ireland v Netherlands at Dublin – Match drawn - Ireland 477/6d and 240/7d; Netherlands 375 and 186/4

Current standings

ICC World Cricket League Championship standings

https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/471519