Nepal and UAE, who are at the bottom of the Cricket World Cup League 2 points table, will face off at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
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Despite being at the bottom of the Cricket World Cup League 2 points table, the match between Nepal and UAE always holds great importance. That is why these two teams face each other under the nickname 'El Clasico'.
Nepal will have the same importance when they face UAE on Friday at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur. The top four teams in League 2 are scheduled to directly qualify for the World Cup qualifiers. Both teams are far from this possibility, but hope is not dead, which is why this match has gained vitality.
Nepal is in seventh place with 14 points from 22 matches in the eight-nation League 2. UAE has only 12 points from 22 matches. USA has 36 points from 24 matches, Scotland has 34 points from 28 matches, Oman has 29 points from 25 matches, Netherlands has 28 points from 24 matches, Namibia has 22 points from 28 matches and Canada has 21 points from 24 matches.
Nepal defeated UAE by 37 runs on Saturday. Chasing a target of 201 runs set by Nepal, UAE was all out for 163 runs in 48.2 overs. The same UAE defeated Oman by 25 runs on Monday in the second match. Oman defeated Nepal by 102 runs on Wednesday based on the Duckworth-Lewis method. That is, all three teams have won 1 in 2 matches and lost the other.
Nepal's batting has not been satisfactory in the first two matches. Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airi scored 75 runs against UAE and 60 runs against Oman. The performance of other Nepali batters is forgettable. With the opening batting duo of Asif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel unable to score big scores, coach Stuart Law can take a risky decision with the playing 11 when Arjun Kumal and Binod Bhandari are ready. Arjun and Binod have been making a big impact in domestic cricket.
The decision not to play Devrehate spinner Lalit Rajbanshi against Oman has also not been fruitful for Nepal. Lalit took the wicket of Devrehate batter Harpreet Singh in the match against UAE. In that process, he gave away only 22 runs in 6 overs. If he returns to play, it is likely that Bashir Ahmed will lose his place. All-rounder Bashir has not been able to make much of an impact with the ball and bat in both the matches.
