Nepal showcased an impressive all round performance to defeat Oman by 113 runs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tri series on Tuesday, marking their second consecutive win in the tournament.
After scoring a solid 263 runs for eight wickets in 50 overs, Nepal’s bowlers dismantled Oman’s batting order, bowling them out for just 150 runs in 40 overs at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground.
This victory follows a 24 run win over Canada in their opening match of the tri series, giving Nepal back-to-back wins in Oman.
Rohit Paudel Shines in Batting
Nepal, who won the toss and chose to bat first, built their innings around a steady performance from captain Rohit Paudel.
Paudel scored 61 runs off 67 balls, including three fours and a six, stabilizing the innings after early wickets fell. He partnered with Basir Ahamad, who contributed 37 runs, while Ishan Pandey and Arjun Kumal added 37 and 40 runs, respectively. Dipendra Singh Airee quickly scored 22 runs off 22 balls.
The innings received a late boost from Karan KC, whose explosive 40 runs off just 16 balls, featuring four sixes, propelled Nepal past 260. He hit three consecutive sixes off Hassnain Shah in the 49th over and added one more in the final over, setting a challenging target for Oman.
Nepal finished with 263 for eight, leaving Oman needing 264 runs to win.
Oman’s Chase Starts Poorly
Oman’s pursuit got off to a rocky start, with Nepal’s bowlers quickly dismantling the top order, reducing them to 41 for six by the 12th over.
The hosts faced the risk of being bowled out before their innings could gain momentum. Although captain Vinayak Shukla fought back with a resilient 77 runs off 83 balls, he received minimal support from his teammates.
Jay Odedra added 25 runs before Dipendra Singh Airee broke their partnership, leaving Oman at 124 for seven.
Despite Shukla’s efforts, he was eventually dismissed for 77, and with wickets falling rapidly, Oman was bowled out for 150 runs in 40 overs, resulting in a convincing 113 run victory for Nepal.
Nandan Yadav and Sandeep Lamichhane Excel in Bowling
Nepal’s bowlers performed well collectively, with Nandan Yadav and captain Sandeep Lamichhane standing out.
Yadav took three wickets for only 12 runs in six overs, while Lamichhane also claimed three wickets, conceding 28 runs in nine overs.
Airee contributed with two wickets, and Karan KC and Lalit Rajbanshi each took one.
Nepal’s strong start was crucial, allowing them to bowl out Oman despite Shukla’s determined effort.
Nepal Moves Up to Sixth in League 2 Standings
With this win, Nepal has climbed to sixth place in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 standings, earning 28 points from 34 matches. Oman remains in fourth place with 33 points from 30 matches.
Nepal’s next match is against Canada on Saturday as they aim to maintain their winning streak and secure a top-six finish to retain their ODI status.
With two consecutive victories, Nepal has gained momentum at a critical point in the competition. Their batting depth and bowling performance against Oman will boost their confidence as they prepare for their next challenge.