Kathmandu, Nepal – After a seven-month hiatus, Nepal’s national cricket team is all set to return to One Day International (ODI) action in the second leg of the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) League 2. The much-anticipated series, taking place in Canada, will see Nepal lock horns with the hosts and Oman, as they aim to reverse their fortunes after a disappointing first leg at home earlier this year.
A Tough Start at Home
Nepal’s journey in the CWC League 2 began on home soil, but the team faced a series of setbacks, managing just one win out of four matches. The Rhinos suffered defeats against Namibia in both encounters and split their two-matches against the Netherlands, leaving them with a lot to prove in the coming matches.
The Road to Preparation
Despite the long break from ODI cricket, Nepal has remained active in other formats. The team switched gears to the T20 format, participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on American soil. After a month-long break, Nepal embarked on a training tour to Bengaluru, India, where they utilized the facilities at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to sharpen their skills.
From there, the team traveled to Sri Lanka for a three-match OD series against the Sri Lanka Development squad. Unfortunately, bad weather hampered their preparation, with two out of three matches being washed out. Nepal lost the only completed match, which further raised questions about their ODI form. However, the team managed to get some much-needed game time in Canada, playing a warmup match against a local side, which they won convincingly.
To add to the team’s preparation, key players Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, and Sandeep Lamichhane had the opportunity to play in Canada through their participation in the Global T20 Canada, gaining valuable experience in local conditions.
Squad and Lineup
For the series in Canada, Nepal’s squad includes a balanced mix of youth and experience. Captain Rohit Paudel will lead the side, with star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane making his return to ODI cricket. The team will also rely on senior players like Dipendra Singh Airee, Sompal Kami, and Karan KC to step up in pivotal moments.
The full squad for the series includes:
- Rohit Paudel (c),
- Sandeep Lamichhane,
- Dipendra Singh Airee,
- Sompal Kami,
- Karan KC,
- Kushal Bhurtel,
- Aasif Sheikh,
- Aarif Sheikh,
- Bhim Sharki,
- Kushal Malla,
- Gulshan Jha,
- Anil Sah,
- Lalit Rajbanshi,
- Rijan Dhakal,
- Arjun Saud.
Expected Playing XI
For their opening match, Nepal is expected to field the following XI:
- Kushal Bhurtel,
- Aasif Sheikh (wk),
- Bhim Sharki,
- Rohit Paudel (c),
- Aarif Sheikh,
- Kushal Malla,
- Dipendra Singh Airee,
- Gulshan Jha,
- Sompal Kami,
- Karan KC,
- Sandeep Lamichhane,
What to Expect from the Series
Nepal will be eager to bounce back after their disappointing start in the tournament. The team has had success against both Oman and Canada in recent encounters in ODIs. Nepal swept Canada 3-0 at home in a bilateral ODI series and defeated Oman in the group stages of the ACC Premier Cup at Nepal, en route to qualifying for the Asia Cup.
While Nepal’s preparation has been disrupted at times, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, and the hope is that they can translate that into consistent performances in the upcoming matches. The return of Lamichhane, in particular, brings much-needed experience and wicket-taking ability, which could prove crucial in these matches.
With Canada hosting the series and Oman looking to continue their strong performances, Nepal will face stiff competition. However, a rejuvenated Nepal team will be hoping to improve on their earlier performances and regain momentum in the CWC League 2.
The Road Ahead
The ICC CWC League 2 provides a crucial pathway for Associate nations to qualify for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Nepal will be keen to climb up the points table and secure a strong position in the qualification race. This series in Canada is a pivotal step on that journey.
Fans and cricket enthusiasts back home in Nepal will be watching closely as the Rhinos take to the field in Canada. With renewed energy and hopes, Nepal’s cricketing faithful will be cheering on their team as they look to put their best foot forward in the international 50-over arena once again.
Let the action begin!
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