Nepal’s Airee Vows Attack as Hosts Seek Revenge Against Oman in Crucial League 2 Clash

Key facts

• Nepal faces Oman on May 5, 2026, at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, in Match 103 of ICC CWC League 2 2023-27.
• Nepal sits seventh in the League 2 table with seven wins, chasing a top-four finish for a direct spot in the 50-over World Cup Qualifier.
• Nepal vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee said partnerships are improving and urged a positive approach to secure a good result.
• Skipper Rohit Paudel noted the team is accustomed to pressure and believes a win can boost confidence for upcoming matches.
• Oman defeated Nepal in their most recent meeting, adding to Nepal’s inconsistency in the ongoing tri-series at home.
• The match will be streamed live on FanCode; no television broadcast is available in India or globally.
• Weather forecast: warm, slightly cloudy, 26°C, humidity 60%, low rain chance, minimal dew.
• Umpires: Durga Subedi (Nepal) and Prageeth Rambukwella (Sri Lanka); match referee: Wendell Labrooy (Sri Lanka).

Lede: A Revenge Mission on Home Soil

Nepal vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee has vowed to come out on the attack when his side seeks revenge against Oman in an important ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 clash on Tuesday. The Asian side have been somewhat inconsistent during League 2 action of late as they continue on their path to qualify for next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, with a pair of victories over UAE in the ongoing tri-series at home offset with a disappointing recent showing against Oman. Airee wants his side to play with a positive outlook during the fixture. “We couldn’t play well in the first two matches (of the tri-series). Now the partnerships are getting better. If we can play by taking that positively, we can achieve a good result against Oman,” he said.

The Stakes: A Direct Path to the World Cup Qualifier

Nepal currently sit in seventh place on the League 2 table, with the team chasing a top four finish at the end of the cycle to earn a direct spot in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier event for the 50-over World Cup. While Nepal sit off the pace with just seven wins so far in the ongoing cycle, skipper Rohit Paudel is not giving up and believes a positive result against Oman on Tuesday can provide the side with the confidence they require. “It is our nature to play under pressure. Therefore, we are hopeful that we will secure a win,” he said. “The same players who played a role in winning 11 matches in the previous cycle are still in the team today. We have already endured that level of pressure. Therefore, the upcoming matches will be even more important.”

Match Details and Conditions at Kirtipur

The match will be played at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, a venue known for a balanced surface that offers early assistance for bowlers. indicates that batting can be tricky when chasing, but set batters can score big. The weather is expected to be warm and slightly cloudy, with temperatures around 26°C and humidity at 60%. Dew factor is minimal, and rain is unlikely, ensuring a full game. Digital streaming is available on the FanCode app and website, but there is no television broadcast in India or globally. The umpires are Durga Subedi of Nepal and Prageeth Rambukwella of Sri Lanka, with Wendell Labrooy of Sri Lanka serving as match referee.

Player Form and Fantasy Angles

Airee acknowledged that other players are not scoring runs, but he himself has been performing well due to increased focus. “Other players are not scoring runs. Perhaps because I am a bit more focused (on my own performance), I am doing well. Earlier, I wasn’t scoring runs either,” he said. For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, the morning moisture might offer early swing, making powerplay bowlers crucial for fantasy squads. In the ongoing match, Nepal’s batting saw Aasif Sheikh scoring 60 runs off 73 balls and Arjun Kumal adding 44 off 82 deliveries, with the team at 126.3 overs. Oman’s bowlers, including Siddharth Bukkapatnam and Hassnain Shah, have been economical, with several dot balls in the middle overs.

Wider Context: Nepal’s World Cup Qualification Journey

Nepal’s path to the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup runs through the League 2 competition, where a top-four finish secures a direct berth in the Qualifier event. The team’s inconsistency has been a concern, but the core group that won 11 matches in the previous cycle remains intact. The tri-series at home, which includes victories over UAE, has provided some momentum, but the loss to Oman has heightened the urgency. Skipper Paudel’s confidence in his squad’s ability to handle pressure reflects the experience gained from previous high-stakes matches. The upcoming fixture is not just about revenge but about keeping the qualification dream alive.

What Comes Next: The Road Ahead for Both Teams

A win for Nepal would not only level the tri-series standings but also boost morale for the remaining League 2 matches. For Oman, a victory would strengthen their own push for a top-four finish. The match is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams aware of the implications for their World Cup aspirations. As the game progresses, the focus will be on Nepal’s batting lineup to build partnerships and overcome Oman’s bowling attack. The outcome will set the tone for the rest of the cycle, with every point crucial in the race for qualification.

The bottom line

• Nepal must win against Oman to keep top-four hopes alive for direct World Cup Qualifier entry.
• Dipendra Singh Airee and Rohit Paudel emphasize positive cricket and pressure management.
• The match is at Kirtipur’s balanced pitch; early swing may benefit bowlers.
• Nepal has seven wins in the cycle; consistency is key to reaching 11 wins like the previous cycle.
• Live streaming on FanCode; no TV broadcast available.
• Oman’s recent win over Nepal adds revenge narrative to the fixture.