Nepal Slashes Ticket Prices to 200 Rupees as Cricket Board Seeks to Rekindle Fan Support Against Oman

Key facts

• Nepal faces Oman in a crucial ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match on Tuesday at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.
• Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) has cut ticket prices to 200 rupees for all remaining tri-series matches, including the Nepal-Oman clash.
• Nepal sits seventh in the League 2 table with seven wins, needing a top-four finish to earn a direct spot in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
• Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee has vowed to attack, saying partnerships are improving and the team can achieve a good result.
• Skipper Rohit Paudel expressed confidence, noting that the same core group that won 11 matches in the previous cycle remains in the team.
• The match will be live-streamed on FanCode; no Indian television broadcast is scheduled.
• Temperatures in Kirtipur are expected to be around 26°C with 60% humidity and low rain probability.

A Revenge Mission on Home Soil

Nepal will seek to settle scores with Oman on Tuesday when the two sides meet in a pivotal ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 fixture at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur. The match carries extra weight for the hosts, who have been inconsistent in the ongoing cycle and are desperate to keep their direct qualification hopes alive. Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee has promised an aggressive approach, vowing to come out on the attack after Nepal’s disappointing showing against Oman in their most recent encounter. “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,” Airee said.

CAN Slashes Ticket Prices to 200 Rupees

In a bid to fill the stands, the Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) has slashed ticket prices to a flat rate of 200 rupees for Tuesday’s match and for all remaining tri-series fixtures, including the upcoming series against the United States and Scotland starting May 12. The decision comes after higher ticket prices and the team’s fluctuating performances led to low spectator turnout. CAN spokesperson Chhumbi Lama confirmed the price cut, stating that the board aims to secure strong fan support for the national team during this critical home series. “Tickets are being made available at an affordable price with the objective of getting great support from the fans for the Nepali team in this important series being held on home ground,” Lama said.

Skipper Paudel Calls for Calm Under Pressure

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel has urged his side to embrace the pressure that comes with must-win matches. “It is our nature to play under pressure. Therefore, we are hopeful that we will secure a win,” Paudel said, drawing on the experience of a core group that won 11 matches in the previous League 2 cycle. “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.” Paudel’s confidence is tempered by the team’s recent inconsistency: while Nepal recorded two victories over the United Arab Emirates in the ongoing tri-series, a disappointing loss to Oman has left them in seventh place on the League 2 table with only seven wins so far in the cycle. A top-four finish is required to earn a direct berth in the Cricket World Cup Qualifier for the 50-over World Cup.

Pitch and Conditions Favour Early Swing

The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground offers a balanced surface with early assistance for bowlers. Morning moisture is expected to provide swing, making powerplay bowlers crucial. Chasing can be tricky, but set batters can score big once they are in. The weather forecast indicates warm and slightly cloudy conditions, with temperatures around 26°C and humidity at 60%. Dew is expected to have minimal impact during the day game, and rain is unlikely, ensuring a full contest. Fantasy cricket analysts have noted that the early swing could be a decisive factor, advising users to prioritize bowlers who can exploit the conditions in the powerplay.

Streaming and Broadcast Details

The match will be available for live streaming on the FanCode app and website. However, no Indian television broadcaster has picked up the fixture, limiting viewing options for fans in India. For global audiences, the digital stream remains the primary way to follow the action. With no TV broadcast in India, the reliance on digital platforms underscores the growing role of streaming services in covering Associate cricket. The match is part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2, a pathway for non-Test nations to qualify for the 50-over World Cup.

What’s at Stake for Nepal and Oman

For Nepal, a victory over Oman is essential to keep pace with the top four and build momentum ahead of the tri-series against the United States and Scotland. Oman, meanwhile, will be looking to consolidate its position on the leaderboard and dent Nepal’s qualification hopes further. The result will have direct implications for the League 2 standings, with every win critical as the cycle progresses. Airee’s call for an attacking mindset reflects the urgency of the situation. “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 admitted, highlighting the need for collective batting improvement. The team’s ability to convert starts into substantial scores will be key against an Oman side that has already shown it can trouble Nepal.

The bottom line

• Nepal must win against Oman to keep its direct World Cup Qualifier hopes alive; a top-four finish in League 2 is required.
• CAN has reduced ticket prices to 200 rupees for all remaining home tri-series matches to boost attendance.
• Dipendra Singh Airee and Rohit Paudel have emphasized the need for positive play and handling pressure.
• The Kirtipur pitch offers early swing, making powerplay bowlers crucial; weather conditions are favorable for a full match.
• The match will be streamed live on FanCode, with no Indian television broadcast available.
• Nepal’s recent inconsistency—two wins against UAE but a loss to Oman—underscores the high stakes of Tuesday’s fixture.