Oman Collapse Under Pressure as Nepal Snatch 10-Run Victory in Al Amerat

Al Amerat, Oman: On a warm, tense afternoon at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Nepal’s national cricket team ground out a nerve-shredding 10-run victory over Oman to close their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign on a triumphant note.

In a match that slipped between clinical control and chaotic tension, Nepal defended a total of 280, holding the host nation to 270 for seven in a thrilling 50-over battle.

Paudel and Airee Lead the Recovery

Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Nepal found themselves under early pressure, teetering at 99 for three. It was captain Rohit Paudel and all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee who turned the tide, anchoring the innings with a masterclass in middle-order rebuilding.

The duo forged a monumental 139-run stand for the fourth wicket—setting a new ODI record for Nepal for that partnership. Paudel’s composed 80 off 81 balls (punctuated by two fours and two sixes) paired seamlessly with Airee’s explosive 69 off 62, which featured three boundaries and four towering sixes. Earlier, young top-order batter Dev Khanal laid the groundwork with a crucial, steadying 57.

However, just as Nepal threatened to post a massive target, Oman’s fast bowler Shah Faisal blew through the lower order. Faisal claimed five for 57, assisted by spinner Jay Odedra’s three-wicket haul, as Nepal lost their final seven wickets for just 42 runs. Nepal were bowled out for 280—a competitive score, but one that left the door open for Oman.

The Great Middle-Order Collapse

Oman’s response started with total authority. Following an early breakthrough, Jatinder Singh and Hammad Mirza took absolute control of the contest, putting on a dazzling 158-run partnership for the second wicket.

Jatinder anchored the chase with a patient 89 off 114 balls, while Hammad paced his 87 off 97 deliveries. By the time Oman reached 190 for one, the hosts needed just 91 runs off the final 12 overs with nine wickets intact—a position that made a home victory seem nearly inevitable.

Then came the turnarounds Nepal has become known for.

Left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi finally broke the marathon stand by removing Jatinder. Moments later, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane removed Hammad, instantly sparking panic in the Oman dressing room. Dipendra Singh Airee then capitalized on the shift in momentum, tearing through the middle order with two quick wickets, removing Mujibur Ali and captain Vinayak Shukla.

In a staggering collapse, Oman lost five wickets for 42 runs, slumping from 190 for one to 232 for six under relentless pressure from the Nepali spin attack.

A Fiery Finish

Hassnain Shah refused to go down quietly, launching a furious late counter-attack with an unbeaten 40 off just 23 balls to keep Oman within touching distance.

Heading into the final over, Oman required 23 runs—a steep task, but not impossible in modern white-ball cricket. Nepal’s death bowlers held their nerve, conceding only 12 runs and restricting Oman to 270 for seven as the final ball was bowled.

What the Result Means for Both Sides

The hard-fought win caps off a mixed, highly demanding League 2 campaign for Nepal. They finish sixth in the eight-team standings with 30 points from 36 matches (14 wins, 20 losses, and two no-results). While the victory offers a much-needed morale boost, Nepal must now navigate the secondary Qualifier Play-off pathway if they hope to secure a spot at the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

For Oman, the loss is a painful blow, but their hopes remain very much alive. Sitting on 33 points—level with Namibia, who have already completed their fixture list—Oman still have four matches remaining in hand. A strong push in those final games will secure them a top-three finish and direct entry to the main World Cup Qualifier.