Nepal vs Namibia, ICC CWCLT 2019-22, Today Match Prediction 14 February 2023

nep vs nam Match Prediction & Analysis

Nepal are all set to host the next round of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two. The tri-series between Scotland, Namibia, and Nepal will kick off with the hosts taking on Namibia at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.

Nepal defeated UAE 2-1 in their last ODI series on this ground. Since 2020, the home team has won 4 of the 11 ODIs played here.

However, they are yet to beat Namibia in an ODI game. So far, these two teams have been head-to-head on 4 occasions. Of these, Namibia won 3 while the other game ended without a result.

Amidst the controversy surrounding the star cricketer, Sandeep Lammichanne is back in the Nepal squad for the tri-series. The right-arm leg-spin bowler is a key wicket-taking bowler for the hosts.

The visitors have a great range of bowlers in the squad who are capable of delivering breakthroughs at regular intervals. JJ Smits, Pikky Ya France, and Bernar Scholtz will lead the bowling effort from Namibia as they aim to extend their dominance over Nepal.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Nepal Preview

Skipper Rohit Paudel has a big challenge on his hands as Nepal kicks off the tri-series in front of a home crowd in Kirtipur. Nepal haven’t reached the 200-run mark in their last 3 ODI innings. And the opposition are bringing in a strong overall squad which will pose a tough bowling challenge.

As such, Rohit Paudel has a big role to play in the middle order. The 22-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Aasif Sheikh will be seen in the top order along with Khushal Bhurtel.

Sheikh seems to be the more promising player in the top order given that he averages around 30 which is more than other batting options in the top order.

The likes of Gyanendra Malla and Arjun Saud have an average of below 20 and a similarly poor strike rate. Nevertheless, Malla has been consistent in recent games and has been a part of crucial partnerships with the skipper. 

There are many all-rounders in the Nepal squad including the captain himself. The batting all-rounder Paras Khadka has scored one fifty and a hundred from just 10 innings so far and can be a crucial middle-order batsman.

The return of Sandeep Lamicchane has great significance. He will add great strength to an already varied bowling attack. The left-arm orthodox bowling all-rounder, Lalit Rajabnshi is another key player in this side who’s bagged 10 wickets from 7 innings averaging 21.6 at an economy of 3.72.

Nepal Predicted Playing XI:

Arjun Saud, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Gyanendra Malla, Rohit Paudel (c), Harishankar Shah, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sagar Dhakal

Nepal Actual Playing XI:

Kushal Malla, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sundeep Jora, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gyanendra Malla, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane

Namibia Preview

Namibia has a great setup. They’ve got batters who can bowl and bowlers who can bet. The left-arm fast-medium bowler Michael van Lingen bats at number 3 and scored a hundred in his last match against Nepal.

The openers haven’t been in good touch for Namibia lately. Lohandre Louwrens and Divan la Cock have failed to strike a partnership at the top.

Lingen will be crucial at number 3 though he has also opened for the side once. He is better suited at 3. Skipper Gerard Erasmus and wicket-keeper batsman Loftie-Eaton are reliable players in the middle order.

Their wickets are the most valuable of all in this Namibian batting lineup. Given the variety of all-rounders and wicket-keeper batters in the squad, Namibia can field a deep batting lineup.

Zane Green, JJ Smit, and Pikky Ya France are all handy batsmen lower down the order. Namibia should be looking at other options for the opening pair. Stephen Baard and Craig Williams should be the ones opening for Namibia. 

In the bowling attack, JJ Smit, Pikky Ya France, and Lungameni are the key players to watch out for. Jan Frylinck should make it to the XI in the absence of the main bowler Ruben Trumpleman.

Namibia Predicted Playing XI:

Michael van Lingen, Divan la Cock, Lohandre Louwrens, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Zane Green (wk), JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Pikky Ya France, Bernard Scholtz, Tangeni Lungameni

Namibia Actual Playing XI:

Jan Frylinck, Michael Van Lingen, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus, Bernard Scholtz, Pikky Ya France, Zane Green, Lohandre Louwrens, Tangeni Lungameni, Karl Birkenstock, Ruben Trumpelmann

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

This is one of the batting-friendly pitches in Nepal where there have been some massive totals in the recent past. The home team will be hoping to turn things around with their batting on this batting-friendly track. The weather is expected to be sunny with a high of 21 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The average 1st innings score in ODIs at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground is 214 runs. In 2020, Papua New Guinea scored 292 runs against Nepal at this venue and won by 6 runs. The same team also chased down 283 runs against the hosts on this ground. It promises to be a high-scoring encounter between Nepal and Namibia and a match-winning total would be something over 275 runs.

Toss: To Bat

Teams batting second have won 6 of the total 11 ODIs played at this venue. There’s no clear advantage to either batting or bowling first. However, in the recent games, teams batting first won 3 of the last 5 matches here. The visitors would definitely find it easier to defend a total given their squad composition and a less experienced Nepal batting lineup.