Kathmandu, April 30
Nepal’s poor performance continues in the ICC World Cup Cricket League-2 series. In the ongoing home series, Nepal was defeated by Oman by 102 runs (DLS method) on Wednesday.
The main reason for the loss was batting. Chasing a target of 306 runs set by Oman, Nepal had managed only 155 runs for the loss of 7 wickets when the match was curtailed at 36 overs and 5 balls.
Captain Rohit Paudel, who has been getting repeated opportunities, along with openers Asif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel, once again failed to perform. Rohit was out for 10, Asif for 19, and Kushal for just 1 run. With the openers and top order failing to fire, Nepal’s batting collapsed.
This is not a new problem for Nepal. Looking at their last 10 ODIs, these three players have flopped in most matches. Captain Rohit has scored a century in only one of the last 10 matches, a 109-run knock against UAE in October 2025, and has failed to cross 40 in the other nine, including four matches where he could not even reach 3 runs.
The situation is similar for openers Kushal and Asif. Kushal has scored just one half-century in the last 10 ODIs, with nothing memorable otherwise. Asif, who scored a double century in the PM Cup held last Chaitra-Baisakh, has been unable to register even a single half-century in the last 10 ODIs.
Bhim Sarki, who has also been given opportunities in ODIs, has failed to prove himself, managing some time at the crease but no substantial scores. With the top order consistently failing, Nepal’s batting has been in crisis lately.
Due to the repeated failures of the openers and top order, the coach has been unable to give chances to new players either. Arjun Kumal and Binod Bhandari, who bat with composure in the top order, continue to warm the bench.
In the previous edition of League-2, Nepal had put up an excellent performance in the home series. But this time, with poor results even at home, the chances of finishing in the top 4 of League-2 have become increasingly difficult.
Having played 22 matches, Nepal has won only 6, sitting seventh in the table with 14 points. Nepal has 6 more home matches remaining in League-2, followed by 8 away games.
