Sports
Oman Series Crucial for Nepal’s ODI Status and World Cup Qualifier Bid
Kathmandu, Oct. 5 – After winning the ACC Premier Cup, Nepal’s cricket team faces a new challenge: performing strongly in the final ICC World Cup League 2 series in Oman to preserve its ODI status. The team’s path to direct qualification for the World Cup Qualifier has become very difficult. While a mathematical possibility remains, Nepal would need an unlikely sequence of results to finish among the top four in League 2 and secure direct qualification. Even if it fails to finish in the top four, Nepal still has a chance to reach the World Cup Qualifier through the playoff route. For now, however, the immediate priority is to keep its ODI status.
The final League 2 series will involve Nepal, Oman and Canada in Oman, a match that is especially important for Nepal. The team currently has 24 points from 32 matches and sits seventh in the standings. The top three teams – Scotland (45 points), the United States (43 points) and the Netherlands (38 points) – are already assured of finishing in the top three. Oman is fourth with 31 points, Namibia fifth with 29 points, Canada sixth with 25 points, Nepal seventh with 24 points and the UAE eighth with 19 points.
The Cricket Association of Nepal says that finishing among the top six appears to be the safest position for the team. If Nepal wins three or all four of its matches against Oman and Canada, it will reach between 30 and 32 points, at least taking it past Canada. Even if Namibia remains ahead, Nepal could still finish sixth depending on other results. Winning both matches against Canada and reaching at least 28 points is considered one of the safest routes to retain ODI status.
The team has undergone changes since its previous League 2 series in the Netherlands, where it lost all four matches. Sandeep Lamichhane has replaced Rohit Paudel as captain and has led the team to the ACC Premier Cup victory. Lamichhane said, "The team’s momentum has changed. Our goal will be to save our ODI status and take the team to the World Cup Qualifier." Head coach Stuart Law added, "It is easy to say we will win, but we also need to know the process required to do that and perform accordingly."
The squad for the Oman series includes most of the players from the Premier Cup-winning team, with two additions: Nandan Yadav (replacing Hemant Dhami) and left‑arm spinner Shahab Alam. The opening pair will be Asif Sheikh and Arjun Kumal, with Ishan Pandey, Dev Khanal and Rohit Paudel providing top‑order options. Middle‑order options include Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sandeep Jora and Basir Ahmed. The lower order features Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, captain Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sher Malla and Shahab Alam. Nepal has more spin options than pace, with Karan and Nandan as the main pacers.
The team’s equation is clear: win matches, collect points and stay inside the top six. The outcome of the Oman series will determine whether Nepal can remain an ODI team and keep its hopes of reaching the World Cup Qualifier alive.