KATHMANDU, May 6: Nepal registered three wins in four matches in the ICC World Cup League-2 triangular series against Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Nepal wrapped up the series on a high note on Tuesday, defeating Oman by 81 runs in the final match at the TU International Cricket Ground. With this victory, Nepal added 18 valuable points to its League-2 campaign.
In the series, Nepal defeated the UAE in both encounters, while Oman handed Nepal a defeat via the DLS method in one match. Overall, Nepal collected 18 points from the series. In the ongoing League-2 cycle, Nepal has played 24 matches, winning eight and losing 14, remaining in seventh position.
Early struggles
Nepal started the series against the UAE on a disappointing note. In the opening match, the batting collapsed and the team was restricted to just 200 runs. However, Nepal still managed to win the game, with vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee playing a crucial rescue act after the top order fell cheaply.
In that match, Nepal’s bowling stepped up when the batting failed to deliver. After the game, captain Rohit Paudel admitted that the batting performance was below expectations.
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In the second match against Oman, Nepal’s bowling came under heavy pressure as Oman posted a commanding 306 after winning the toss and opting to bat. The opposition batters dominated from the start, reaching 80 without loss.
Once again, Nepal’s batting faltered, with only Dipendra standing firm. Rain later interrupted the match, and at that point Nepal had reached 155 for 7. Under the DLS method, Oman was set a revised target of 257, and Nepal suffered a 102-run defeat.
Two improved performances
The third match against the UAE—often dubbed the “El Clasico” of Associate cricket—saw Nepal bounce back with a narrow six-run victory.
With regular openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh missing, Arjun Kumal made his debut, while Binod Bhandari returned to the side. In his comeback game, Bhandari anchored the innings with a solid half-century.
Alongside him, Dipendra Singh Airee delivered a commanding century, steering Nepal to 289 for 7. The bowling unit held its nerve to seal a close win.
In the fourth match, Nepal defeated Oman by 81 runs in a more balanced all-round performance. Nepal posted 256 all out, with Aasif Sheikh, Arjun Kumal, and Aarif Sheikh making key contributions. Aasif and Arjun stitched together a crucial 123-run partnership to stabilize the innings.
The lower order added valuable runs, while with the ball, Gulshan Jha led the attack brilliantly, claiming five wickets and dismantling Oman’s batting lineup.
Gulshan’s comeback and Arjun’s promise
All-rounder Gulshan Jha, under scrutiny in recent matches, produced a match-winning comeback against Oman with a five-wicket haul.
He had struggled for consistency earlier in the series and was even left out of the playing XI in some games. But in a crucial encounter, he emerged as Nepal’s main weapon.
“I am always happy to contribute to the team. Our plan was to win all the matches in this series, but we lost one. Still, it feels good to perform when the team needs it most,” Gulshan said after the match.
He also contributed 43 runs in the second match against the UAE, though his batting remained inconsistent throughout the series.
Young batter Arjun Kumal also stood out as a positive takeaway. After scoring 11 on debut, he responded with a composed 48 in his second match, showing maturity at the top of the order.
Arjun, who has been turning heads in domestic cricket and was the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded Prime Minister Cup, has added fresh hope to Nepal’s batting lineup. Gulshan also stressed the importance of senior players supporting the youngster’s development.
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