Nepal (pictured) occupy the top spot in group ‘A’ standings with four points, two ahead of Canada and Oman in second and third respectively. Photo Courtesy: CAN

Nepal will play the last group match of the ICC World Twenty20 Global Qualifiers against Canada with all eyes on the semi-finals at the Al Amerat Cricket ground in Muscat on Monday.

Nepal are the only team in the four-team Group 'B' of the Qualifiers ‘A’ to win both their matches and are in advantage over the other sides. Nepal defeated hosts Oman by 39 runs on Friday and thrashed the Philippines by 136 runs on Saturday. Canada beat the Philippines by 118 runs before losing to Oman by nine wickets.
While Nepal have four points and occupy the top spot, Canada and Oman are the second and the third with two points each, separated by net run rates. The Philippines are the only team yet to register a win and are already out of the race for top four.
The remaining three teams of the group are still in contention. Oman will vie against the Philippines in their last group match. The top two finishers of the group will secure semi-final berths and the two finalists will qualify for World Cup finals set for October and November in Australia.
While a victory would seal Nepal's place in the semifinals as table toppers, even a defeat would still keep Nepal in contention. Nepal will automatically qualify for the last four should Oman lose their match irrespective of any outcome of the Nepal-Canada match.
Even if Nepal lose against Canada and Oman beat the Philippines, Nepal would still fancy chances to advance. In such a scenario, all three teams — Nepal, Oman and Canada — would have four points each and the two teams with higher net run rates will qualify for the semis. All Nepal would have to do is avoid a huge defeat.
Despite a comfortable equation for Nepal, they are adamant to finish the group stage on a high. The winners of the group will meet the runners-up of Group 'A' comprising the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Ireland and Germany in the semi-finals. The runners-up will fix the last four meetings against the group 'A' toppers. The UAE, with four points, lead the standings while Bahrain and Ireland, are second and third respectively, with two points each. Germany are pointless.
"We still have a long way to go," Nepal's coach Pubudu Dassanayake said after his side's victory over the Philippines on Saturday. "Though our performance is improving day by day, we want to win every match and we will field our best XI against Canada on Monday."
Captain Sandeep Lamichhane said that they would continue winning momentum going into the semi-finals. "All matches of the Qualifiers are equally important and we want to secure a spot in the World T20 finals winning all our matches," said Lamichhane.