Opportunity for Nepal to take revenge on Oman
KATHMANDU: SEPT. 14 – On February 5, 2020, Nepal was playing its debut match in the ICC World Cup League-2 at its own ground. The opponent was Oman. In front of thousands of spectators in Kirtipur, Oman performed brilliantly and defeated Nepal by 18 runs. The next game of the tournament was also not memorable for Nepal ‚where Nepal lost by an ‘unimaginable’ 8 wickets.
Today, Nepal is getting an opportunity to forget the pain of defeat suffered by the domestic audience. Therefore, Nepal will have to play to avenge that defeat on the field of Oman today.
The game will start at 4:15 pm Nepali time at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium in Oman. Nepal had defeated USA by 5 wickets on Monday.
What happened in Kirtipur?
Nepal’s League-2 debut match remained competitive where Nepal lost by 18 runs. After that, Nepal, which became confident after defeating the United States, was shocked when the home crowd saw Oman’s ‘consistent’ batting. In the second match played on 9 February, Oman won the toss and invited Nepal to bat. Nepal made the second-highest ODI score at home.
Nepal had scored 249 runs in the half-century of captain Gyanendra Malla. Everyone thought that Nepal could easily save this score at home and lose to Oman. But Oman played on the Nepali field in such a way that the home fans were compelled to praise the Omani batsman.
Only four players from Oman sidelined Nepal’s high score. Aqib Ilyas and captain Jason Maqsood shared a 167-run stand for the third wicket. Ilyas played a brilliant 109-run century while captain Maqsood scored 68 runs.
They patiently scored runs to win Oman. Ilyas hit just one six. While the captain did not hit a single six. This means that both the batsmen did not rush to score a run. Nepal, who looked helpless in their batting, were forced to concede by 8 wickets before 16 balls. Nepali bowling, which has always been strong, was miserable in front of Omani batsmen.
What happens on the ground in Oman?
Nepal is now competing at the home ground of Oman for another triangular match of the same tournament after 19 months. After the last three games, Nepal is confident after the defeat on the Nepali field. Moreover, the sensible innings played by the Nepali batsman in the first match against the United States on Monday has given the message that the Nepali players are capable of taking revenge against Oman.
Nepal met the target of 231 runs given by the United States after playing 50 overs without showing any hurry on the field. Kushal and Aasif shared 66 runs in the opening over. After their arrival, Nepal has felt relief from the problem of opening. Kushal’s 84-run innings looked sensible.
Rohit Kumar Poudel, who is known for playing big shots, also remained unbeaten on the field. Binod Bhandari’s game was also full. But the situation is not over with the worries of ‘unstable batting’. However, the beginning of the series has been satisfactory. Today’s game will be more exciting if it can be maintained.
Nepal and Oman head to head
Nepal has won only 3 out of 9 matches between Nepal and Oman so far. Oman has won 6 matches.
Nepal has not beaten Oman since 2013. Nepal had defeated Oman by 28 runs in 2013 while playing Division Three. Oman has won all six of its matches since then. Today’s game is also an opportunity for Nepal to beat Oman after 2013.
2002 ACC Trophy: Nepal won by 105 runs
2010 ACC Trophy Elite: Nepal won by 6 wickets
2013 Division Three: Nepal won by 28 runs
2014 ACC Premier League: Oman wins by 2 wickets
2015 Associate Tour Match: Oman won by 3 wickets
2018 Division Two: Oman won by 6 wickets
2018 Asia Cup qualifiers: Oman won by 7 wickets
2020 ICC World Cup League-2: Oman wins by 18 runs
2020 ICC World Cup League 2: Oman wins by 8 wickets
