Cricket World Cup League 2: Over halfway on road to 2027
Over the halfway mark and after quite possibly one of the best tri-series in the competition's history in Dundee, the table has taken a different look, with Nepal's three wins in four matches squeezing teams together in the middle of the pack.
A look at the state of play as teams eye off Cricket World Cup Qualifier spots and eventually reaching the 14-team global tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027.
20 matches, 28 points (14 wins, 6 losses)
The amount of individual talent oozing in American cricket is reflected in their position at the top of the table, and the side have welcomed back proven winner Pubudu Dassanayake, who takes coaching reins of the team for a second time.
The Americans boast prolific run-scorers in the competition in Monank Patel (746 runs at 41.44) and Milind Kumar (682 at 52.46), with Sai Mukkamalla's 612 also coming at an average of 47.07.
The side have been able to win in different ways in the competition, not only putting up a 169-run win over rivals Canada, but defending just 122 against Oman in Al-Amerat back in February, the lowest total defended in Men's ODI history (not counting revised matches due to weather).
Kumar (20 wickets), Nosthush Kenjige (27) and Harmeet Singh (22) have tied down opposition with spin, while fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who has 27 wickets of his own in the cycle, has become the first American to reach 100 scalps in the format.
A Super Over defeat in their recent home series against Oman may leave a sour taste in the mouth, but the Americans have so far matched their lofty expectations in the campaign.
USA v Canada | Match Highlights | ICC Men's CWCL2 2023-27
USA put up 286 in their Cricket World Cup League 2 meeting with Canda in Lauderhill
24 matches, 28 points (13 wins, 9 losses, 2 no-results)
The Dutch made a strong start to their campaign, their first League 2 tilt in the new Cricket World Cup structure, though a one-win effort in the most recent tri-series in Scotland has pulled the men in orange back towards the rest of the field.
In saying that, the side have picked up points on tough overseas assignments in Nepal, Oman and Namibia, and look good value for a top four finish.
Aryan Dutt's 6/34 early in the campaign in Nepal against Namibia sent an early competition warning shot, and the side claimed a win over the hosts in Kirtipur, only underlining their status as competition heavyweights.
Scott Edwards' side claimed a victory over UAE in Oman, before going unbeaten on a tour of Namibia, albeit with two no-results.
Impeded by player availability, the team have shared the load with the bat, though Max O'Dowd has brought consistency at the top of the order, making 857 runs at a tick under 43, which included a stunning unbeaten 158* that broke Scottish hearts in Dundee on the recent tour.
With the ball Kyle Klein has stepped up, taking 35 wickets at just 19.42, while Paul van Meekeren has displayed his quality, taking his 34 wickets at just 20.26.
Scotland v Netherlands | Match Highlights | ICC Men's CWCL2 2023-27
Another stunning Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Dundee as Scotland and The Netherlands launch in a high-scoring battle
20 matches, 24 points (11 wins, 7 losses, 2 no-results)
While there is no reason for the defending League 2 winners to panic, sitting inside the top four, their recent two win/two defeat home tri-series with the Dutch and Nepal will leave a slightly sour taste in the mouth.
Their victories in the series were bookended by a heart-breaking one-wicket defeat to Karan KC and Nepal, and then O'Dowd's explosive maiden ODI hundred in another final-over thriller, as Associate cricket's high drama and infitiesimal margins were underlined once more.
On the table, the consequences of the two tight finishes are reflected. Instead of sitting pretty and above the Dutch, they open the door for Nepal and other teams below them to make a push in the second half.
The home stand was almost a microcosm of their campaign on the whole. Sluggish in their start, dropping two matches to Canada in UAE, the Scots did find a rhythm through eight wins in a stretch of 11 matches, before the dropped points in Dundee.
At their best, the Scots possess the firepower to match anyone, including the sides they would take on if they were to qualify for the World Cup proper.
Scotland v Netherlands | Match Highlights | ICC Men's CWCL2 2023-27
A fightback from Scotland helps the hosts to a League 2 victory over The Netherlands
Charlie Cassell's record-breaking seven-for on debut | SCO v OMA | CWCL2 23-27
Charlie Cassell picked 7/21 on debut
20 matches, 24 points (11 wins, 7 losses, 2 no-results)
A successful tour of the USA with almost a completely reshuffled team has given Oman's League 2 campaign life, and a realistic path to a top four spot come the end of the cycle.
At one point looking destined for a bottom four finish, losing the likes of Aqib Ilyas and Zeeshan Maqsood among a mass departure, skipper Jatinder Singh has returned to form, making waves in a match-winning performance over the USA.
It's been a change of tack on the bowling front too that has led to the Omani push, with left-arm orthodox spinner Shakeel Ahmed both leading Oman's attack and sitting atop the competition wicket tally with 39 wickets at an astonishing average of just 11.15.
There may have been doubts if Shakeel would be able to match his home efforts while on the road, though Shakeel showed his guile with nine wickets across their four matches in Florida.
While doubts may continue to hover over the batting depth, the spin bowling attack and a likely return for quick Bilal Khan should ensure the team from the sultanate remain in the hunt.
USA v Oman | Match Highlights | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2
Oman clinched a thriller with a Super Over victory against the USA in League 2 action in Lauderhill
20 matches, 20 points (9 wins, 9 losses, 2 no-results)
The Canadians enjoyed a promotion bounce of sorts early in their first League 2 campaign, though a dip in form has pulled them back in a mid-table fight.
The side have won just one match in the 2025 calendar year, that too only in a Super Over against Namibia.
Ruing the absence of Nicholas Kirton, responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of Harsh Thaker and Pargat Singh, the only players in the side with over 400 runs to their name.
With the ball, Dilon Heyliger remains a consistent wicket-taker (35) alongside Kaleem Sana (31), though the side will want more out of their spin attack. Saad Bin Zafar still has 20 wickets in 19 outings, though the left-armer averages over 34, and has a higher ceiling to reach.
Canada v UAE | Match Highlights | CWC League 2
20 matches, 14 points (7 wins, 13 losses)
It's been a frustrating start for Gerhard Erasmus' side, who begin the campaign with just seven wins in 20 outings, and at risk of missing out on an automatic spot for the Qualifier.
The Eagles are too going through a transition on and off the field, with former international and T20 World Cup hero Craig Williams taking the head coach position, made vacant by the departing Pierre de Bruyn.
Williams' first task will be to lock in a set line-up, with 21 players featuring thus far in their 20-match campaign and just three players featuring in every match. The side have struggle to settle on their desired batting order, and Michael van Lingen's retirement adds a further dent to their stocks.
There are glimmers of hope though, particularly on the bowling side. Bernard Scholtz and Erasmus have claimed 68 wickets between them through their spin, with a young pace battery of Ben Shikongo and Jack Brassell starting to emerge alongside Ruben Trumpelmann who should be fit to fly again at top pace.
A look at the FNB Namibia Cricket Stadium
16 matches, 12 points (5 wins, 9 losses, 2 no-results)
There was a danger of the League 2 table seeing the top four and bottom four splitting early in the piece, though an inspired tour of Scotland by the Nepalis breathes new life for the cycle.
Welcoming new coach Stuart Law, the side dragged back two of the competition's high-flyers with two wins over the Dutch and one over Scotland, and have built the platform for a mid-campaign push.
There's still plenty to do being six wins back from a top four spot, though Rohit Paudel's side have 20 matches to play, and at least four matches in hand over every team above them (and eight over The Netherlands).
The campaign thus far has been a similar story to the start of the first League 2 cycle for Nepal and its fans, dropping three of four matches at home to begin, and only adding four more points in the next two tri-series in North America, beating Scotland in a neutral match in Dallas to go with two no-results.
Though through the Associate cricket gods, and miracle workers on the ground like Karan KC, there was always going to be a twist.
Scotland v Nepal | Match Highlights | ICC Men's CWCL2 2023-27
A thriller in Scotland as another League 2 match goes down to the last ball!
The man so often stepping up in a crisis, 33-year-old Karan salvaged a one-wicket win with a ball to spare in the first match of the most recent tri-series, finishing with 65 not out in just 41 balls in his mission with the tail.
And just in case they need any more inspiration, they can draw on their push in the last cycle, having battled back to an automatic Qualifier spot thanks to 11 wins in their final 12 matches.
Nepal v Scotland | Match Highlights | ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2
Nepal v Scotland | Match Highlights | ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2
16 matches, 6 points (3 wins, 13 losses)
United Arab Emirates effectively gave the rest of the field a headstart with three successive defeats at home to begin the campaign, and little has improved with the side now sitting below the Nepalis after their successful Scottish sojourn.
While continuity has been a struggle, playing 26 different players already, there have been glimpses, with wins over The Netherlands and Scotland showing the potential quality in the group.
Rahul Chopra has stepped up in both wins with the bat, while the emergence of spinner Simranjeet Singh has been another positive in the campaign.
Their recent run of form in T20I cricket should also be a source of inspiration, having beaten Bangladesh in a home series, just their second series win in the format over a Full Member.
Their next tri-series is at home with against the Nepal and the USA, a crucial assignment should they want to make a move.
Scotland v UAE | Match Highlights | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2
A blistering century from skipper Rahul Chopra landed UAE a big win over Scotland in their Cricket World Cup League 2 clash. ICC CWC League 2, 2023-27News
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