The Richelieu Eagles’ triangular mini-series in Nepal against the host and Scotland last week did not go as Namibia and their faithful supporters would have liked.

Namibia lost three of its four One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in the ICC World Cricket Cup League 2 competition in Kirtipur. Two against the Rhinos and one against Scotland.

The Eagles face the Scots today in their final ODI before heading to Dubai for their final two ODI clashes of this competition against the United Arab Emirates. With the Emirates behind them, Namibia will have completed the cycle of 36 ODIs.

The Eagles should have earned at least seven points in their last six games to edge Oman from second position on the CWCL2 standings with 44 points. However, this is now impossible to achieve.

With three beatings in Nepal to their credit, Namibia is currently in a pinch position and is still third with 37 points, while Oman (36 played) with 44 and Scotland with 48 occupy the second and first positions respectively.

Whether Namibia can finish in third depends on the Emirates (10 ODIs left) and Nepal (nine left). If the Eagles can finish third, they will skip the contested qualifying round in July in Botswana to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

The Emirates (fifth) currently have 27 points and can potentially earn 14 points in their last 10 ODIs. Nepal (sixth) boasts 24 and can also pick up 14 in their last nine ODIs. This leaves the Emirates on 41 and Nepal on 38, which puts Namibia’s ODI status in jeopardy.

The Emirates will be a tough nut to crack in Dubai where Afghanistan (a test country) is currently touring. Although the visitors won the first International T20 match by five wickets, the Emirates clinched the second clash by nine wickets.

Results in Kirtipur

ODI 1: Nepal 287/8 in 47.4 overs; Namibia 285/10 in 50. Namibia lost by two wickets.

ODI 2: Scotland 157/0 in 22.1; Namibia 153/10 in 39.2. Namibia lost by 10 wickets.

ODI 3: Nepal 278/7 in 47.3; Namibia 274/6 in 50. Namibia lost by three wickets.

– tielman@republikein.com.na