Nepal vs UAE Showdown Looms in ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier Super Six Clash

Nepal is gearing up for a significant match against the UAE in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier Super Six. This encounter marks their first meeting in this stage of the tournament. The match is scheduled for October 12, 4:15 PM, at Oman Cricket Academy Turf 1. Both teams enter this clash unbeaten, with each having secured 2 points from the group stage.
Nepal vs UAE: A Recent Rivalry
This matchup is often referred to as the “Associate Rivalry.” The past performances of both teams have established them as formidable opponents. Achieving a victory in this game will provide a strong boost at the start of the Super Six stage.
Captain Insights
Nepal’s captain, Rohit Paudel, acknowledges the UAE as a strong team but insists they will be treated like any other opponent. He emphasized the importance of focusing on their strengths. Paudel stated, “If we play according to our basics and standards, we can win.”
UAE’s coach, Lalchand Rajput, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness to compete against strong sides like Nepal and Oman.
Team Form and Recent Performance
- Nepal has achieved notable success recently, having defeated West Indies in a T20 series.
- The UAE secured a T20 series victory over Bangladesh and gained valuable experience at the Asia Cup.
In their last five T20 matches, Nepal has won four, while the UAE has won three, losing two.
Head-to-Head Record
Nepal and the UAE have faced each other in 10 T20I matches, with each securing five wins. However, in matches held in Oman, the UAE has triumphed in all three encounters.
During their last meeting in the 2024 ACC Premier Cup, the UAE defeated Nepal, eliminating them from Asia Cup qualification. Their performances in critical matches have been quite competitive, with both teams trading crucial victories in past qualifiers.
Current Rankings
In the T20I rankings, the UAE is positioned at 16th while Nepal holds the 18th spot, indicating a closely matched competition.
Key Players to Watch
For Nepal, Kushal Bhurtel’s recent form makes him a player to watch, as his performance can significantly influence the match’s outcome. Gulshan Jha has also shown promise in previous encounters against the UAE.
On the UAE side, team captain Muhammad Waseem plays a crucial role in determining the batting order’s success, while bowler Junaid Siddique is noted for being their leading wicket-taker.
Toss and Probable Lineups
The match’s venue has hosted a variety of scoring outcomes, from low to high totals. The captains might prefer to bat first, aiming to post a defendable score.
Nepal’s Probable XI
- Kushal Bhurtel
- Aasif Sheikh
- Rohit Paudel
- Kushal Malla/Lokesh Bam
- Sundeep Jora
- Dipendra Singh Airee
- Gulshan Jha
- Sompal Kami
- Nandan Yadav
- Sandeep Lamichhane
- Lalit Rajbanshi
UAE’s Probable XI
- Harshit Kaushik
- Muhammad Waseem
- Muhammad Arfan
- Rahul Chopra
- Basil Hameed
- Alishan Sharafu
- Haider Ali
- Dhruv Parashar
- Junaid Siddique
- Simarjeet Singh
- Muhammad Rohid
Nepal’s Upcoming Super Six Schedule
Date | Match | Time (Nepali Local Time) |
---|---|---|
October 12 | Nepal vs UAE | 4:15 PM |
October 13 | Nepal vs Qatar | 8:45 AM |
October 15 | Nepal vs Samoa | 8:45 AM |
October 17 | Nepal vs Oman | 4:15 PM |
With crucial matches ahead, Nepal’s performance against the UAE could set the tone for their journey in the Super Six stage.