KATHMANDU: The third match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League-2 triangular series is being played today between hosts Nepal and Oman. The match at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur will start at 9:30 am.
The ongoing home series is considered crucial in Nepal’s journey toward the ODI World Cup qualifiers. Nepal made a strong start by defeating UAE by 37 runs in its opening match. Oman, meanwhile, lost to UAE by 25 runs on Monday.
In the previous League-2 cycle, when Oman toured Nepal in February 2020, the Nepali team was in a different phase. Oman then registered a clean sweep against Nepal, led by Gyanendra Malla, in Kirtipur. Notably, that series also marked the first ODI matches played on Nepal’s home soil.
Players such as Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Arif Sheikh, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Binod Bhandari from that squad are still part of the current team. However, openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh had not yet made their ODI debuts at that time. Nepal is now led by Rohit Paudel, while Oman is captained by Jatinder Singh.
Nepal is currently seventh in the League-2 table with 14 points from 21 matches. To stay in contention for a top-four finish and secure a spot in the ODI World Cup qualifiers, Nepal needs strong results in its remaining 15 matches. Captain Paudel has stressed the importance of improving the batting performance.
The opening partnership of Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel will be crucial, especially after Nepal managed only 200 runs against UAE in the previous match. Aasif, who has been in good form in domestic cricket, is expected to play a key role. Oman’s bowling attack, led by Bilal Khan and Kaleemullah, is expected to pose a major challenge.
Oman currently sits third in the table with 29 points from 25 matches. Backed by home support and familiar conditions, Nepal will be eager to settle the score against Oman.
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