KATHMANDU: Preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series featuring Nepal, the UAE, and Oman have entered the final stage, with matches set to begin on Saturday.
The series, considered crucial in the race for qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup, will see Nepal take on both UAE and Oman on home soil. Nepal will face UAE in the opening match on Saturday (April 25) at 9:30 am. UAE and Oman will clash in the second match on Monday (April 27), followed by Nepal taking on Oman in the third match on Wednesday (April 29).
All matches will be held at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal, tickets for the matches will be available through the Khalti app, with sales opening from 7 pm on Thursday.
Nepal enters the series under pressure, having secured just five wins from 20 matches in the League 2 standings, collecting 12 points. The team currently sits second from the bottom of the table. UAE, at the bottom, has 10 points from the same number of matches, while Oman is in a stronger position with 29 points from 24 games, placing third.
CAN has already announced Nepal’s 15-member squad under the captaincy of Rohit Paudel. The squad includes vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee, along with key players such as Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Aarif Sheikh, Bashir Ahmad, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Binod Bhandari, Nandan Yadav, Arjun Kumal, and Karan KC.
Experienced bowlers like Sompal Kami, Karan KC, and Sandeep Lamichhane are expected to play key roles in the series, while Binod Bhandari has made a return to the national setup. Young batter Arjun Kumal has also earned a place in the squad.
CAN has named Hemant Dhami, Sher Malla, Rijaan Dhakal, Ishan Pandey, and Dev Khanal as reserve players.
With crucial points at stake, the upcoming tri-series presents Nepal with an important opportunity to improve its standing and strengthen its chances of progressing in the World Cup qualification pathway.
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