KATHMANDU: Newly elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal bid farewell to the Nepal cricket team on the eve of their departure to the Netherlands, scheduled for Saturday, for upcoming ICC World Cricket League Championship matches, at the PM's residence in Baluwatar this evening. On the occasion, PM expressed his happiness for meeting the Nepal cricket team just a day after being elected the top executive of the nation. READ ALSO

• Nepal eye Dutch scalp for top four berth

He further said cricket played a significant role in uniting the nation emotionally and geographically. The sport has given a global recognition to Nepal, he added. Nepal are currently on the sixth position in the eight-team group.  Nepal are preparing to win both matches against the hosts scheduled for  August 13 and 15 in Amstelveen as they need double victories to ensure their qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018. Meanwhile, the Nepal team skipper Paras Khadka said the players were fully committed to achieving their set target of winning both the matches in the Netherlands to book their passage into the next round. On the occasion, Minister for Youth and Sports, Daljit Sreepaili said Nepal team's victory would be a victory for all Nepali people. He said he was committed to developing and improving the sports sector during his tenure. Earlier, Nepal's 15-member touring party was announced by a selection committee comprising ICC representative Venkatapathy Raju, National coach Jagat Tamata and skipper Paras Khadka as the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is under suspension now. All the team members including Khadka, Gyanendra Malla (vice-captain), Shakti Gauchan, Basanta Regmi, Sharad Vesawkar, Sompal Kami, Sagar Pun, Binod Bhandari, Raju Rijal, Karan KC, Anil Mandal, Sandip Lamichhane, Bikram Sob, Rajesh Pulami Magar and Sunil Dhamala and coach Jagat Tamata were present on the occasion. Among eight teams, the Netherlands currently are on the top of the WCL points table, while Nepal are on the sixth position. WCL Championship Standings Only the top four teams will secure their berth for the 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers. Teams P W L Tie N/R Points  Netherlands 6 4 0 0 2 10 Hong Kong 6 4 1 0 1 9 PNG 6 4 2 0 0 8 Scotland 6 2 1 0 3 7 Kenya 6 3 3 0 0 6 Nepal 6 2 4 0 0 4 Namibia 6 1 5 0 0 2 UAE 6 1 5 0 0 2 WCL Championship fixtures August 13, 15: Netherlands v Nepal, VRA, Amstelveen August 14, 16: Scotland v UAE, Mannofield, Aberdeen October 22, 24: PNG v Namibia, Amini Park, Port Moresby November 18, 20: Kenya v Hong Kong, Kenya