Nepal targets inaugural first-class win

After holding out for a draw in its opening ICC Intercontinental Cup match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month, Nepal will be targeting its first first-class win against Malaysia in a three-day match starting in Kathmandu on Friday.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a new tournament that gives the top Associate Member countries from each region exposure to the longer version of the game.

Nepal must win the match to stand a realistic chance of qualifying from the Asia region for the semi-finals of the tournament that will take place in the UAE in November this year.

The ICC's first ever first-class cricket event for the countries below Test Match level began in the UAE in March with a drawn match between the hosts and Nepal with the home side picking up 18 points and Nepal earning 14.

Malaysia are the third team in the Asia region and the game in Kathmandu will be their first of the tournament.

"Having recently played against England A, I am delighted that cricket in Malaysia is taking an extra step towards the big league of international cricket with this first-class match," said Malaysia captain Suresh Navaratnam.

"I am looking forward to our match against our old nemesis Nepal and I am certain that our players will acquit themselves well.

"The longer version of the game is surely the way forward and affords us the opportunity to build an innings in a mature and thought-out way."

The ICC's leading three Associate countries from four regions - Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe - are playing regional three-day matches with the top team from each region progressing to the semi-finals and final to be held in the UAE in November 2004.

Also taking place from Friday is the opening African qualifier between Namibia and Uganda in Windhoek.

The tournament introduces innovative playing conditions to international cricket including a points system created specifically for the event.

Teams receive 14 points for a win plus any bonus points accumulated while teams drawing or losing a match receive only their bonus points. Only in the event of a tie will teams pick up seven additional points.

Bonus points can be accumulated in either innings with a maximum of six batting points per innings awarded on the basis of 0.5 points for every 25 runs scored up to 300 runs. A maximum of five bowling points are available per innings allocated at 0.5 points per wicket taken.

To encourage teams to play for a result, the first innings of each side will be restricted to 90 overs unless the team batting first does not utilise its 90 overs in which case the team batting second can bat for its 90 overs plus the overs short of 90 not utilised by the team batting first.

A minimum of 105 overs must be bowled on each of the opening two days of the match.

Uganda, Kenya and Namibia are contesting the Africa qualifiers; Bermuda will take on Canada and USA in the Americas; Malaysia, Nepal and UAE will face off in Asia and Holland will meet Ireland and Scotland in Europe.

Full results for the tournament are available on the ICC website www.icc.cricket.org.

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