Nepal’s ICC Cricket World Cup League Two meeting with Oman has quickly become one of those fixtures that can reshape the mood of a qualification campaign, and the latest live action from Kirtipur suggests both sides know exactly what is at stake. In a tournament where every point matters, Nepal entered the contest looking to back up a 37-run win over the UAE, while Oman arrived trying to recover from a 25-run defeat to the UAE. For teams hovering around the middle and lower reaches of the standings, there is little room for error.
This is not just another bilateral-style ODI tucked away in a qualifying cycle. League Two is where rhythm, depth and nerve are tested over months, not days, and both teams have been forced to lean on their most reliable performers. Nepal’s batting has been shaped by Aarif Sheikh, who has already compiled 478 runs, while the bowling attack continues to depend heavily on Sandeep Lamichhane, who has taken 25 wickets. Oman, meanwhile, have been steadier on paper, with Jatinder Singh leading their batting charts on 620 runs and Shakeel Ahmad standing out with 44 wickets.
The early signs from the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground pointed to a contest that would not be settled quickly. Oman won the toss and chose to bat, a call that appeared sensible once their openers settled into a fluent rhythm. Jatinder Singh and Ashish Odedara got the innings moving briskly, and by the first powerplay they had already taken 35 runs off the opening six overs. That kind of start can put pressure on any home attack, and Nepal had to work hard to prevent the visitors from pulling away.
Oman’s innings then took a commanding turn through their captain. Jatinder Singh first passed fifty, then powered on as Nepal struggled to contain him. By the time he reached three figures, he had turned the innings in Oman’s favour almost single-handedly. For a while, it looked like the visitors might post a score that would be well beyond par, especially with Jatinder still at the crease and the run rate climbing.
That pressure intensified when Jatinder moved towards a big hundred, and our live updates showed Nepal’s bowlers searching for answers. The turning point, though, came when the Oman skipper was eventually dismissed for 130, ending a superb innings that had put his side in a strong position. Even then, Oman were still in the hunt for a score in excess of 300, with several overs left to build on the platform.
Nepal vs Oman live score turns on Jatinder Singh’s big innings
What makes this Nepal vs Oman live score clash so compelling is how quickly momentum has swung around Jatinder’s wicket. Before his dismissal, Oman were well placed to push beyond 300, and Nepal were under real pressure to keep the scoring under control in the closing overs. With the skipper gone, the final phase of the innings became a battle for control, and Nepal’s seamers and spinners were tasked with preventing a late surge.
Earlier in the innings, Oman had already lost a couple of wickets, but Jatinder remained the anchor. That left the rest of the batting unit with a simple job: stay around him, build partnerships and avoid a collapse. It is easier said than done against a disciplined Nepal attack, especially in conditions where bowling lengths and pressure can bring rewards if the fielding side holds its nerve.
For Nepal, this match is also about proving that recent results were no fluke. Their win over the UAE offered a reminder that they can compete strongly when the bowlers strike early and the batting unit keeps its composure. The hosts know that a victory here would give their qualification push a serious lift, and it would also improve confidence ahead of the next round of fixtures.
Oman, however, have come into this game with stronger individual numbers and a sharper-looking record in key departments. Their batting has been more dependent on the leadership of Jatinder Singh, but when he fires, they look far more complete. Their bowling, led by Shakeel Ahmad, also gives them a better balance on paper than some of their rivals in the competition.
The squads selected for the match underline how much quality both sides have at their disposal. Nepal fielded Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel, Basir Ahamad, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane and Gulsan Jha. Oman’s XI featured Jatinder Singh, Ashish Odedara, Aryan Bisht, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Shakeel Ahmed, Vinayak Shukla, Jiten Ramanandi, Mohammad Nadeem, Siddharth Bukkapatnam and Mohammad Imran.
The bowling contest is expected to remain central to the outcome. Nepal will back the experience of Sompal Kami, Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane to squeeze Oman if the total stays within reach. But if the visitors push past a tricky threshold, the pressure will shift squarely onto Nepal’s batting order, which has been inconsistent across the campaign.
For Oman, the challenge is to make Jatinder’s innings count by backing it up with contributions down the order. A lone century is often not enough in ODIs unless the rest of the side cashes in, and that is where their lower middle order will be judged. If they can add a quick burst late on, Nepal could be staring at a demanding chase in Kirtipur.
As we reported earlier, the match has the feel of a critical turning point for both teams in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023–27 cycle. Nepal need points to stay in touch with the pack, while Oman know that a strong away performance can keep them in a healthier qualification position. With the live score moving through key moments and both sides under pressure, this has all the ingredients of a tense ODI finish in the Nepalese capital.