The UAE, Nepal, Canada, Oman, Kenya and hosts Namibia all begin their World Cricket League Division Two campaigns on Thursday with the top two reaching next month’s 2019 World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Here we look at five players to look out for:
NEPAL
Sandeep Lamichhane
Age: 17
Position: Leg-spinner
Stole the headlines last month when he became the first Nepalese cricketer to be snapped up in the IPL when bought by Delhi Daredevils for $31,000. It will be interesting to see how he fares against the Associate sides but comes into the tournament on the back of a solid spell, taking nine wickets in seven matches in Nepal’s T20 competition – the Everest Premier League. With 12 wickets in WCL Division to his name, expect him to add to that tally.
OMAN
Zeeshan Maqsood
Age: 30
Position: All-rounder
One of the most experienced players in the Omani squad. The 30-year-old impressed for his national team at the Desert T20 last year, scoring 99 runs and taking two wickets. Runs have been hard to come by but his 71-run effort in Afghanistan’s Shpageeza Cricket League showcases his immense qualities.
NAMIBIA
Gerhard Erasmus
Age: 22
Position: Batsman
Only finished four runs behind Sarel Berger in the run charts of Division One with 304 runs, but at such a young age has plenty of promise. UAE will be fully aware of the damage he can do with the bat with his match-winning 77 last September, while adding consecutive half-centuries against Netherlands in Dubai.
CANADA
Nitish Kumar
Age: 23
Position: Batsman/right-arm offbreaker
Since making his debut in 2009 as a 14-year-old, the only way has been up for the Toronto native. After leading the U-15 and U-19 squads, he has now been handed the armband of his national team. Playing for MCC University in England last year, he showed his batting abilities with two fifties in four matches. Was disappointing against USA in September with just 37 but will be eager to deliver from the front.
UAE
Rohan Mustafa
Age: 29
Position: All-rounder
Rose the occasion since being appointed captain one year ago. It isn’t just with the bat he can do the damage as evidenced by his match-winning 109-runs against Papua New Guinea in the third ODI but also with the ball with 15 wickets in his last nine ODI matches. Said it would be ‘special’ to qualify for the tournament and will be aiming to lead from the front to ensure that happens.
