Nepal lay down marker with win over Oman

Nepal hit the bottom working within the opening match of the preparatory quadrangular T20I match at Muscat with a win over hosts Oman. Dipendra Singh Airee starred with a cheap spell of 0-21 in 4 overs adopted by a splendid unbeaten 73 off 53 balls to see Nepal overhaul Oman’s modest 135-run goal with three balls to spare.

The meant opening match of the four-team match (scheduled in lieu of any official warm-up matches forward of subsequent week’s T20 World Cup qualifier) was to have seen Eire tackle the UAE within the morning, however the Irish discovered themselves unequipped to play the match as a lot of their baggage had but to reach in Oman.

As an alternative the afternoon match grew to become the curtain-raiser, with Nepal inviting the hosts to bat first after Sandeep Lamichhane received his first toss as Nepal captain. His bowlers repaid his confidence effectively, discovering common wickets to maintain the scoring fee pegged again. With Oman having misplaced three wickets within the powerplay, house skipper Zeeshan Maqsood needed to stabilise the innings. His unbeaten 43 off 41 ensured his facet had one thing to bowl at, however solely Mohammad Nadeem may hold him firm for lengthy. The pair added 61 for the fifth wicket earlier than Nadeem grew to become the second of Avinash Bohara’ three victims, with the left arm seamer eradicating Naseem Kushi two balls later to preclude any late acceleration.

On a largely innocent floor, Oman’s eventual whole of 135/6 regarded effectively wanting par, however Nepal wobbled early as Kaleemullah took two wickets within the powerplay to take away openers Aasif Sheikh and Pradeep Airee, the latter filling in for the rested Kushal Bhurtel. When former captain Gyanendra Malla was needlessly run-out within the eleventh over with Nepal lower than half-way to the goal, it regarded as if Oman may combat their means again into the sport. However DS Airee was joined by Aarif Sheikh and the pair took the guests to triple figures earlier than Aarif holed out on the primary ball of the 18th off Khawar Ali, with 21 runs nonetheless wanted.

DS Airee hit again instantly nevertheless, citing his half-century with an audacious reverse sweep for 4 earlier than launching the following ball straight down the bottom for six. From there Airee wanted solely hold his nerve, and in firm of Sharad Vesawkar closed out the sport coolly sufficient – a wristy drive via lengthy off for a 4 off Nadeem wrapping issues up with three balls to spare.

The win will give Nepal a confidence increase forward of the essential T20 World Cup Qualifier which begins in seven days’ time, when the 4 groups will likely be joined by Germany, Canada, Bahrain and the Philippines to contend for 2 qualification spots for the 2022 T20 World Cup. Each groups will likely be again in motion tomorrow, Nepal taking up the UAE within the morning and Oman dealing with off towards Eire within the afternoon match.