KATHMANDU: Aasif Sheikh’s 94-run knock and Gulshan Jha’s five-wicket haul powered Nepal to an emphatic 81-run victory over Oman in the final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series held in Kathmandu.
Chasing a target of 257 runs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, Oman were bowled out for 175 in 39.5 overs, as Gulshan led a dominant bowling attack with figures of 5/38.
Earlier, after electing to bat first, Nepal posted 256 all out in 49.5 overs, with key contributions from Aasif Sheikh (94), Arjun Kumal (48), Aarif Sheikh (43), and vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee (33).
Aasif narrowly missed his century, falling six runs short after a fluent 97-ball innings that included seven boundaries and one six. He and Arjun Kumal built a crucial 123-run partnership for the second wicket, stabilising Nepal’s innings after the early dismissal of opener Binod Bhandari for a duck.
In reply, Oman struggled against disciplined Nepalese bowling. Gulshan Jha was the standout performer, claiming his second ODI five-wicket haul, while Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Dipendra Singh Airee picked up one wicket each.
For Oman, Vinayak Shukla top-scored with 36, while Hamad Mirza and Hasanain Wahav added 34 and 29 runs respectively. Captain Jatinder Singh, who had scored a century in the previous match against Nepal, was dismissed for just 12.
With this win, Nepal secured three victories from four matches in the series, collecting six points. They remain seventh in the eight-team League 2 standings with 18 points from 24 matches.
Nepal had earlier defeated the UAE twice in the series but lost to Oman in their previous encounter by 102 runs, making today’s win a strong comeback.
Nepal will next face the USA and Scotland in the upcoming League 2 series, which will be played at home starting May 12.
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