Kathmandu: Afghanistan secured a place for the 2026 U-19 World Cup finals on superior net run rate after the decisive match of the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifiers against hosts Nepal got washed out on Saturday at the lower Mulpani Cricket Ground.

Nepal and Afghanistan — both undefeated teams —came to their final round robin league looking for a clear victory as they were both tied on six points from three games in the five-team contest. The winner between them would have earned a place for the 2026 finals.

But the match was abandoned even without a toss due to wet outfield caused by overnight and morning rainfall. Both sides shared points and finished on seven points but Afghanistan progressed to finals on better net run rates. Afghans have 4.8170 and Nepal 3.5764 net run rates.

The 2026 World Cup finals are scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe and Namibia.