WCL 2: Oman defeat Nepal by 102 runs under DSL method

KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered a 102-run defeat (under the DLS method) against Oman in their ICC World Cricket League (WCL) 2 fixture at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu on Wednesday.

Batting first after winning the toss, Oman scored 305 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 50 overs as captain Jatinder Singh struck an aggressive century. In reply, Nepal were 155/7 in 36.5 overs before rain stopped play.

Oman got off to a flying start as the first-wicket pair of captain Singh and Ashish Odedara put on 80 runs in 14.2 overs. Although Nepal removed two Omani wickets—Odedara (23) and Nadeem Khan (1)—in the space of seven balls, Jatinder found support from Hammad Mirza (30) and Aryan Bisht (35) as he raced to 130 off just 96 balls. Jiten Ramanandi scored a run-a-ball 43 and Vinayak Shukla contributed 23 for Oman, while Wasim Ali remained not out on 12.

Sompal Kami claimed four wickets for Nepal, while Lamichhane and Airee picked up two each.

In reply, Nepal lost opener Kushal Bhurtel (1) to the first ball of the second over, bowled by Shakeel Ahmed. Although Aasif Sheikh (19) and Bhim Sharki (28) tried to steady the innings, wickets fell at regular intervals. Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee, who made 60 off 62 balls, was the only Nepali batter who troubled the Omani bowlers. Omani players celebrated wildly when Muhammad Imran had Wasim Ali catch Airee in 35.2 overs shortly before rain interrupted play. Gulshan Jha remained unbeaten on 14 off 17.

Nadeem Khan claimed three wickets for Oman, while Shakeel Ahmed picked up two, and Muhammad Imran and Wasim Ali chipped in with a wicket each.

The defeat dealt a severe blow to Nepal’s chances of finishing in the top four of the eight-team WCL 2. Nepal are seventh on the table with 14 points from 22 matches, while Oman are third with 31 points from 26 matches.

Nepal take on the UAE in their third match of the WCL 2 tri-series on Friday.