Nepal’s Tough Start: Sets Modest 133-Run Target

In a disappointing start to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, Nepal’s national men’s cricket team suffered a setback as they set a meager target of 133 runs against Namibia. The match, held at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, witnessed Nepal’s batting lineup falter, resulting in the team setting their seventh lowest score in one-day internationals and the lowest ever on home ground.

Facing the heat after losing the toss and put to bat first, the Rhinos struggled from the onset, losing four crucial wickets with just 21 runs on the board. The early dismissals included opener Kushal Bhurtel, who departed for a golden duck on the very first ball, setting a somber tone for Nepal’s innings.

Despite valiant efforts from Bhim Sharki, who managed to steady the ship with a gritty 44 off 86 deliveries, Nepal failed to build substantial partnerships. The hosts ultimately folded at 132-10 in 41.1 overs, with Gulshan Jha, Pawan Sarraf, and Karan KC contributing to the total.

Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus emerged as the tormentor-in-chief, clinching a five-wicket haul, while Ruben Trumpelmann and Jack Thomas Brassell scalped two wickets each for the visitors.

The match marked the commencement of the tri-series, a pivotal segment of the qualification process for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Alongside Nepal and Namibia, the opening series features the Netherlands, promising an intense battle for supremacy.

League 2, an expanded competition featuring eight teams including Canada, Oman, Scotland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States, is set to witness a total of 144 one-day internationals across various tri-series. The top four teams from the league will secure direct berths to the 2027 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, intensifying the competition’s stakes.