Kathmandu, Nepal — Afghanistan’s under-19 cricket team officially qualified for the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup after their final qualifying match against Nepal was washed out by heavy rain on Saturday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced.
The match, scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. Kabul time at Mulpani Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu, was expected to decide the final spot from the Asian qualifying tournament. Both Afghanistan and Nepal had advanced undefeated into the match, and the winner would have secured a place in the global competition.
Persistent rain delayed the start and prevented even the toss from taking place, ultimately leading officials to call off the match.
Afghanistan, known as the Future Stars, secured their qualification on the strength of their earlier performances. The team had notched decisive victories over the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Oman on April 13, 14 and 16, respectively. Fast bowlers and middle-order batsmen were particularly praised for their resilience under tournament pressure.
The 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup is expected to bring together the world’s top youth teams, offering a platform for the sport’s next generation of talent.
