More than three-and-a-half years after the competition started in Scotland, the Cricket World Cup League 2 will reach its finale in Kathmandu over the coming days.
UAE, Papua New Guinea and hosts Nepal will play the final tri-series of the competition, which is part of the qualifying process for the World Cup in India later this year.
Despite the exhaustive programme for fixtures, with just six left to play, there remains plenty to be decided.
Cricket World Cup League 2 remaining fixtures
All games at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Thursday, March 9, Nepal v PNG
Friday, March 10, UAE v PNG
Sunday, March 12, Nepal v UAE
Monday, March 13, Nepal v PNG
Wednesday, March 15, PNG v UAE
Thursday, March 16, Nepal v UAE
What is at stake?
The top three sides in League 2 advance to the global World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe in June and July.
The remaining four sides in the league are forced to play in the Qualifier Play-off in Namibia at the end of March.
The top five sides in League 2 will retain one-day international status. The last two will have to play for the right to keep their ODI playing rights at the Play-off.
What is the World Cup Qualifier Play-off?
Monday’s 42-run loss to Nepal in Dubai meant that UAE are now no longer able to advance past Namibia into third place in League 2. As such, they will be entered into the Qualifier Play-off in Namibia.
It is a six-team event. It will involve the four lowest placed sides in League 2, so UAE, PNG, United States, plus one of either Namibia or Nepal.
Those sides will be joined by the top two teams from the ICC Challenge League, namely Canada and Jersey.
The top two sides in the event will progress to the global Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which is scheduled to take place in June and July.
What is the Qualifier?
The Qualifier will decide the final two places at the 2023 World Cup in India, scheduled for October and November.
Hosts India qualified automatically. Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand and Pakistan have already secured their places via the ICC rankings.
Netherlands and Zimbabwe are already confirmed as participating in the global Qualifier. They will be joined by three more sides from the ODI Super League, out of West Indies, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ireland.
Oman and Scotland are confirmed from League 2, with either Nepal or Namibia set to join them directly.
The final two places will be decided by the Qualifier Play-off.
How can Nepal go directly to Zimbabwe?
Rohit Paudel’s side need to win all four of their matches in Kathmandu in the coming days to leapfrog Namibia into third place.
It is a tough task, but they are on a remarkable run of form. Nepal have won seven out of eight matches in League 2 over the past month.
How can UAE retain one-day international status?
The top five sides in League 2 are assured of ODI status – and thus significant extra funding from the ICC.
There are a variety of permutations which could see the UAE achieve that in Kathmandu. Essentially, they need to win more matches than Nepal do over the remaining fixtures to finish above them.
Three wins would also provide that guarantee, as it would lift them above United States in the points table.
Two wins would not be enough to get above USA. The first tiebreaker for League 2 is number of wins. UAE and USA would be tied on 16 if they do win twice in Nepal.
The second tiebreaker is head-to-head. USA won four matches out of the five that the two sides played in League 2, against one for UAE.
The sixth and seventh placed sides in League 2 will compete with Canada and Jersey for ODI status in the Qualifier Play-off. The two highest ranked sides of those get ODI status.
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League last 16, second leg
Liverpool (0) v Atletico Madrid (1)
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: Thursday, March 12, midnight
Live: On beIN Sports HD
Biography
Favourite drink: Must have karak chai and Chinese tea every day
Favourite non-Chinese food: Arabic sweets and Indian puri, small round bread of wheat flour
Favourite Chinese dish: Spicy boiled fish or anything cooked by her mother because of its flavour
Best vacation: Returning home to China
Music interests: Enjoys playing the zheng, a string musical instrument
Enjoys reading: Chinese novels, romantic comedies, reading up on business trends, government policy changes
Favourite book: Chairman Mao Zedong’s poems
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Omar%20Hilal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Farrag%2C%20Bayoumi%20Fouad%2C%20Nelly%20Karim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scores:
Newcastle United 1
Perez 23'
Wolverhampton Rovers 2
Jota 17', Doherty 90' 4
Red cards: Yedlin 57'
Man of the Match: Diogo Jota (Wolves)
Results:
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1.400m | Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Saab, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Majd Al Gharbia, Saif Al Balushi, Ridha ben Attia
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed Dh 180,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Money To Burn, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh 70,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Kafu, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 2,400m | Winner: Brass Ring, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
Dubai World Cup Carnival card:
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) | US$175,000 | 2,410 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (Dirt) | $100,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: Handicap (T) | $145,000 | 1,000m
8.15pm: Dubawi Stakes Group 3 (D) | $200,000 | 1,200m
8.50pm: Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (T) | $200,000 | 1,800m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) | $175,000 | 1,400m
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
RESULTS
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