 in Match 101 of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two (2023-27) today, Friday, May 1, 2026.){kind=link}
The cricketing fever reaches its peak at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur as Nepal takes on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Match 101 of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two (2023-27) today, Friday, May 1, 2026.
Following a bruising 101-run defeat to Oman in their previous fixture, the “Rhinos” are under immense pressure to secure a victory on home soil. Nepal captain Dipendra Singh Airee won the toss and made the decisive call to bat first, hoping to set a daunting total for the visitors on a surface that traditionally favors spin as the game progresses.
Team News and Strategic Shifts
Nepal has shuffled their lineup to bolster the top order, bringing in Arjun Kumal to partner with the experienced Binod Bhandari behind the stumps. The return of Sandeep Lamichhane to the playing XI provides the hosts with a significant edge in the bowling department, especially alongside the pace of Sompal Kami and the spin of Lalit Rajbanshi. On the other hand, the UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, has opted for a balanced side featuring Akshdeep Nath and Harpreet Singh Bhatia to stabilize the middle order. The UAE bowling attack will rely heavily on the early breakthroughs from Junaid Siddique.
Playing XIs for Match 101
- Nepal: Arjun Kumal, Binod Bhandari (WK), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (C), Aarif Sheikh, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.
- United Arab Emirates: Aryansh Sharma, Adeeb Usmani (WK), Muhammad Shahdad, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Akshdeep Nath, Muhammad Waseem (C), Khuzaima Tanveer, Muhammad Zuhaib, Junaid Siddique, Haider Ali, Ajay Kumar.
The Road to 2027: High Stakes in Kirtipur
With the 2027 ODI World Cup qualification cycle heating up, every point in League Two is gold. Nepal currently finds itself in a “must-win” territory to avoid slipping further down the table. The passionate Kirtipur crowd has turned out in thousands to support the Rhinos, creating an electric atmosphere. For the UAE, a win today would solidify their standing as a top contender among the associate nations. As the opening pair takes guard under the bright Kirtipur sun, all eyes are on the pitch to see if Nepal can capitalize on their decision to bat first.