The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reported to be pushing for the creation of a new one-day international league that could benefit non-Test playing countries like Nepal.

In a report published in popular cricket website cricinfo.com, ICC is planning for a 13-team ODI league from 2019 that will involve 10 Test playing teams and three Associates. “Plans are well-advanced to create a new league from 2019 for 13 nations—believed to be the ten Test teams, Afghanistan, Ireland and one other Associate, with Nepal advocated by some as a favoured option in a debate that still has some way to run,” cricinfo wrote in the report.

“The league will see all countries play each other over three years, with the top two nations playing a play-off series to determine the overall winner of the league. Under the plans, each team would play a three-match series either home or away against every other country, amounting to 36 ODIs each over a three-year basis. The fourth year of each cycle would be reserved for World Cup preparation,” the report further added.

Former national team skipper-turned coach Binod Das said Nepal needs to grab the opportunity but prepare themselves in the best possible way. “ICC has been looking forward to how they can expand the game and concurrently gain more viewership and crowd. We have not done what needed to be done in terms of management to get this kind of opportunity. But if the plan materialises and we are ready, we need to make the most out of it,” said Das.

The side finishing bottom after three years would face relegation to the World Cricket League Championship (WCLC), the second tier of one-day cricket, possibly after a playoff with the winners of the WCLC. Nepal are currently playing the eight-team WCLC from where the top four teams advance to the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

According to the report, Nepal are tipped to be the 13th team of the tournament but their inclusion in the league is likely to be drawing controversy, considering the position they are in world cricket. While teams like the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Kenya have underlined their top five credentials in the WCLC, Nepal currently stay at the sixth spot after the completion of three rounds (six matches).

The report, however, said Nepal are primed for the 13th spot irrespective of how they fare in the WCLC. “The ICC are known to be impressed by the game’s popularity in Nepal, and are considering promoting Nepal regardless of their overall standing in the 2015-17 edition of the WCLC, although this is just one option,” the report said.

Das believed that ICC has a strong base to pick Nepal. “ICC has seen how cricket’s popularity has soared in Nepal. To keep one-day cricket alive, they are seeking viewership and Nepal would be the right pick for them although it lags behind in terms of infrastructure. The idea itself is a question to us whether we can handle this opportunity or not,” added Das.