Both Nepal and the United States, who arrived in Oman to play in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, have previously played two ODIs against Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The duo easily defeated PNG to win the series 2-0.
The same two teams are playing in the first match of the triangular series of Nepal and USA League today. This is the sixth series of League-2 as a roadmap for the 2023 ODI World Cup. Along with Nepal and the USA, the home team Oman is also in this series.
Oman has already prepared for League-2 by playing T20 and ODI series with Mumbai.
When they meet again after 19 months, both Nepal and the United States are aiming to start the series with a win in League-2.
The last time Nepal and the United States played in the last match of the series was in February 2020 in Nepal. In that game, Nepal had bowled out to the United States for 35 runs. These three nations also played in that series.
While Oman is playing its third consecutive series in League-2, Nepal and the USA are playing their second consecutive series. This is Nepal’s second series in League-2. Earlier, Nepal had drawn mixed results in four matches in the home series.
Nepal, which is preparing for Oman’s different conditions soon, is aiming to start the series against the United States with good results. But that is not easy. Because the United States is in second place in the points table of the 7-team participating league-2. Oman is still in the top spot.
Therefore, captain Gyanendra Malla also said that the first game will not be easy. “The game against America will not be easy. Will be competitive. The US is also in second place in the table. Ali seems to be different in this condition. ‘
Gyanendra had said the day before the game. Earlier, Nepal had defeated the USA in both the games at home. But Gyanendra has said that we should look at the present and the future more than in the past.
This time, Nepali team vice-captain and batsman Dipendra Singh Airy will not play due to injury. He is sure to lose the series due to his uncle’s injury. Injured during practice, he missed both games against PNG.
Injury to the key player is certainly a loss for Nepal but it has given an opportunity for other players to move forward and play. Considering Kovid and the injury, this time there are 17 players in the Nepali team. Now that Dipendra will not play, Nepal’s playing set will be selected from 16 players.
Aaron Jones and Jasdeep Singh of the United States were also injured. In their place, the United States has included Kyle Phillips and Sanjay Krishnamurthy in the team.
About half of the American team that played in Nepal last time has changed this time. America is now a different team. Even after reaching Oman, the United States had performed well in both games against PNG.
Nepal has also prepared well by winning both games against PNG. Nepal had won the first match by 2 wickets against PNG. In the second match, Rohit Kumar Poudel and Sandeep Lamichhane shone and Nepal defeated PNG by 151 runs. Rohit scored 86 runs while Sandeep took 6 wickets.
Sandeep is showing uniformity for Nepal. Which can be a threat to the opposition team. Similarly, Rohit, who played only the first game of the series against Nepal in 2020, has indicated that he is fully prepared when he returns to the national team after a long absence.
Despite the injury of vice-captain Dipendra, Rohit said the firm has increased competition in the team and also raised hopes.
As both Nepal and the USA have won the last two games, they will enter the field with high morale in today’s game. As it is the first game, both the teams will be alert.
Nepal is ranked 16th and the United States 18th in the ICC ODI rankings. But in the points table of League 2, the USA is in second place with 12 points while Nepal is in sixth place with 4 points.
The match between Nepal and the United States will start at 4:15 pm Nepali time at Al Amaret Cricket Ground in Muscat, Oman.
