Nepal Faces Setback in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2
After an exhilarating run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Nepal’s senior men’s cricket team returned to the longer format of the game with aspirations high but faced a rude awakening. In the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 (WCL-2), Nepal fell to a significant 106-run defeat against the United States in a recent tri-series match held in the United Arab Emirates.
A Promising Beginning, but Challenges Ahead
Just four months prior, under the helm of new head coach Stuart Law, Nepal had showcased commendable performances in Scotland. They clinched victories against strong contenders, including two matches against the Netherlands and one against the local host, Scotland. The excitement surrounding the team after their successful T20 World Cup Qualifiers set expectations soaring.
However, the transition from T20 to the 50-over format has proven challenging. Nepal needed consistent performances in WCL-2 to secure a top-four finish and an automatic berth in the ODI World Cup Global Qualifier. Unfortunately, they now find themselves in seventh place on the table, having accumulated just 12 points from 16 games.
A Tough Encounter Against the USA
The match against the USA at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium was a stark reminder of the difficulties in adapting to a different format. Chasing a target of 263, Nepal’s batting lineup crumbled, ultimately getting bowled out for just 156 runs in 39.1 overs.
The USA’s disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Harmeet Singh, was instrumental in this comprehensive victory. The American pacer’s impressive spell included 6 wickets for just 27 runs, completely dismantling Nepal’s batting order.
Batting Struggles Under Pressure
Nepal’s innings started poorly, with opener Kushal Bhurtel dismissed for a duck, caught behind on the second ball. Although Bhim Sharki made a modest contribution of 29 runs, the innings struggled to gain momentum. World Cup Qualifier hero Asif Sheikh offered some resistance before falling to Harmeet Singh for 37.
Captaining his team, Rohit Paudel’s performance was underwhelming, managing only 2 runs before becoming the victim of a catch off Shubham Ranjane. The middle order faltered, with Aarif Sheikh scoring 20 runs, and Gulsan Jha departing shortly thereafter, leaving the team in dire straits at 138 for 7.
The tailenders offered little defiance, as Karan KC was dismissed for 2 and Sandeep Lamichhane did not trouble the scorers, going out for a golden duck. Dipendra Singh Airee emerged as the top scorer with 40 runs, but without support from the rest of the team, it wasn’t enough to mount a serious challenge.
The USA’s Bowling Prowess
On the bowling side, Shubham Ranjane complemented Harmeet Singh’s stellar performance with 2 wickets of his own, asserting pressure on Nepal’s batting order throughout the innings.
A Competitive American Side
Earlier in the match, the USA had batted first and managed to post a respectable score of 262 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs. Their innings began cautiously, accumulating only 32 runs in the first powerplay, but a steady partnership between Smit Patel and Saiteja Mukkamalla rebuilt their innings.
Patel top-scored with 75 runs off 100 balls before being run out. Mukkamalla also played a vital role, scoring 42 runs before falling to Lamichhane. The American innings gained momentum towards the end, propelled by Milind Kumar’s explosive unbeaten 70 runs off just 50 balls, containing six boundaries and two sixes.
Looking Ahead
For Nepal, this defeat marks their 10th loss in the ongoing League 2, having managed only five wins so far. The team faces an uphill battle to improve their standings and maintain hopes of qualifying for the ODI World Cup Global Qualifier.
As they prepare to take on the United Arab Emirates next, the focus will undoubtedly be on regaining their footing and working through the challenges of transitioning from T20 to the longer format. The UAE, currently languishing at the bottom of the table with just 6 points from 16 matches, presents a crucial opportunity for Nepal to bounce back and refine their strategies moving forward.