Cricket World Cup League 2: State of Play on road to 2027

By Daniel Beswick

Pitting the best in the men's Associate game, Cricket World Cup League 2 has again thrown up intriguing storylines and headline moments, as its eight teams fight for four automatic Cricket World Cup Qualifier spots.

With the table starting to take shape, a look at how each team is travelling in their aspirations of reaching the 14-team global tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027.

Watch all the League 2 action live and free on ICC.tv (in select regions)

1st: USA

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 the top two run-scorers in the competition thus far in Monank Patel (746 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.

2nd: The Netherlands

20 matches, 26 points (12 wins, 6 losses, 2 no-results)

It's been a strong start for the team in orange, who have dropped just one match at home, and picked up points on tough overseas assignments in Nepal, Oman and Namibia.

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 668 runs at a tick under 40. With the ball Kyle Klein has stepped up, taking 32 wickets at just 15.81, while Paul van Meekeren has displayed his quality, taking his 28 wickets at just 16.03.

The side travel north to Scotland to take on Richie Berrington's side and Nepal for their next tri-series, beginning on June 2.

3rd: Oman

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 new 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, new 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.

4th: Scotland

16 matches, 20 points (9 wins, 5 losses, 2 no-results)

There should be comfort for the Scots knowing that while they remain in a strong position for automatic Qualifier spots, they still have the ability to improve.

The defending champions were sluggish in their start, dropping two matches to Canada in UAE, though have claimed eight wins in their last 11 completed fixtures.

In individual matches, the Scots have shown they have the firepower to match anyone, including the sides they would take on if they were to qualify for the World Cup proper.

The side put up the competition's highest total in history, making 380/9 in their 50 overs, with tons from Brandon McMullen and Richie Berrington, as well as a half-century from the aggressive George Munsey.

Munsey averages over 60 in his 12 competition innings, with Berrington and McMullen going at rates of 50.11 and 48.41 respectively.

The crafty medium pace of McMullen (22 wickets) has been an immense help for the Scottish bowling cause, with left-armer Brad Currie (26 wickets at 24.50) leading the line-up.

Fellow quick Charlie Cassell also made headlines, Kagiso Rabada’s nine-year-old record for best bowling figures on debut in Men’s ODIs with figures of 7/21.

5th: Canada

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.

6th: Namibia

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.

7th: United Arab Emirates

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 only ahead of Nepal by virtue of a claiming more wins in their six total points.

Even the Nepalis have four matches in hand over the Emiratis, a side going through a transition of their own having played 26 players in their first 16 outings.

While continuity has been a struggle, 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.

8th: Nepal

12 matches, 6 points (2 wins, 8 losses, 2 no-results)

Rohit Paudel's side dropped three of four matches at home to begin the cycle, and only added 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.

It's an all too familiar story for the Nepalis who were also sluggish in the last cycle, though their last campaign should also serve as inspiration, having battled back to an automatic Qualifier spot thanks to 11 wins in their final 12 matches.

The side welcome new coach Stuart Law after Monty Desai's contract was not renewed, and also have eight games in hand over Scotland, Canada and The Netherlands.

Their next tri-series begins on June 2 in Scotland, where they'll also face the Dutch.