Nepal qualified for the World Cup after finishing second in the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers that concluded recently in Ireland.[break]
Nepal U-19 was tagged ´giant killer´ as it had defeated Pakistan in U-19 World Cup 2000 to reach the super league round of the tournament and defeated South Africa and New Zealand in 2006 to win the plate championship. However, Nepal had failed to qualify for the 2010 edition of the U-19 World Cup after participating in five consecutive editions since 2000.
It would be a tall order for Nepal U-19 to stand up to the ´giant killer´ image in the upcoming World Cup as it has been drawn in one of the toughest groups.
Nepal U-19 has met England U-19 four times in the previous editions of the World Cup and lost on all occasions. England had defeated Nepal by 64 runs in 2000 and by 37 runs in 2002. Likewise, Nepal had lost to Englad by eight wickets in 2004 and by 77 runs in 2006.
Likewise, Nepal had faced Australia twice in the World Cups -- in 2004 and 2008. Nepal had lost the matches by six wickets and 99 runs, respectively.
However, Nepal has an upper hand against Ireland. Nepal U-19 had defeated Ireland U-19 by 60 runs in the U-19 World Cup 2006. The current Nepal U-19 team also defeated Ireland in the recently concluded World Cup Qualifiers by 10 runs.
As per the draw conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), two-time champion Pakistan, New Zealand, Scotland and Afghanistan have been drawn in Group B.
Likewise, two-time champion India has been drawn in Group C along with West Indies, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea.
Group D comprises two South Asian countries -- Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- and two African nations, South Africa and Namibia.
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