Nepal secure crucial win over Oman in bid to retain ODI status

Kathmandu, October 19

Nepal made a remarkable comeback with the ball to defeat Oman by 10 runs in their final ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match on Monday, securing sixth place in the standings.

In the match played at Al Amerat Ground, Oman, chasing a target of 281, managed 270 for six in their 50 overs.

Jatinder Singh top-scored for Oman with 89 runs, while Hammad Mirza contributed 87. The pair put Oman in a strong position after adding 158 runs for the second wicket, having lost their first wicket for 32.

After dismissing the partnership at 190, Nepal struck again just 13 runs later. Oman subsequently slipped to 203 for three and 206 for four before captain Vinayak Shukla was dismissed at 224 for five. Sanju Sajiv was then run out, leaving Oman at 232 for six.

Hasnain Shah kept Oman in contention with an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls, hitting several boundaries towards the end. However, he could not take his side over the line.

Needing 23 runs from the final over, Oman faced Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee. Hasnain scored two runs off the first ball before hitting two consecutive fours, leaving Oman needing 13 from three balls. After taking two more runs, Oman needed 11 off the final two deliveries. Airee bowled a dot ball before Hasnain failed to score off the last ball, sealing Nepal’s victory.

Three half-centuries lift Nepal to 280

Earlier, Nepal won the toss and elected to bat, posting 280 runs before being bowled out in 50 overs.

Dev Khanal, Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee scored half-centuries to lead Nepal’s innings.

Paudel scored 80 off 81 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes. Airee made 69 off 62 deliveries, including three fours and four sixes, while opening batter Khanal contributed 57 off 65 balls, with four fours and a six.

Nepal were struggling at 99 for three when Paudel and Airee combined for a 139-run partnership to rebuild the innings.

However, Nepal failed to finish strongly, losing their remaining wickets after reaching 238 for three. Basir Ahmed provided a late boost with 17 runs off just seven balls, including two fours and a six.

For Oman, Shah Faisal claimed five wickets for 57 runs in eight overs. Jay Odedra took three wickets, while Samay Shreevastav claimed two.

Nepal return to sixth place

The victory was crucial for Nepal, who needed to win to finish among the top six teams in the World Cup League 2 standings.

Nepal had won their opening two matches against Canada and Oman before losing to Canada on Saturday.

Following that defeat, Canada climbed to sixth place with 29 points from 36 matches, pushing Nepal down to seventh with 28 points from 35 matches.

Monday’s win lifted Nepal back to sixth place, giving them 30 points from 36 matches.

Finishing in the top six is significant because those teams have a strong chance of retaining their One Day International status. Nepal’s victory over Oman therefore proved decisive in its bid to secure a top-six finish in the League 2 campaign.

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