ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023: West Indies vs Nepal

Match Overview

West Indies and Nepal are set to face each other in their second match of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers on June 22, 2023. The highly anticipated match will take place at Harare Sports Club in Harare.

In their previous match, West Indies emerged victorious against the United States of America team with a 39-run win. Jason Holder, with his exceptional performance with bat and bowl, was awarded the Player of the Match. He scored 56 runs and took 1 wicket, conceding just 36 runs in 8 overs.

West Indies faced a tough start, losing both openers early on, but Jonshon Charles and Shai Hope steadied the innings with a partnership of 115 runs. Despite a strong counter-attack from Nicholas Pooran, who scored 43 runs off just 28 balls, it was Roston Chase’s composed innings of 55 runs that helped West Indies reach a total of 297 runs.

Nepal, on the other hand, secured a convincing victory against the USA in their last match, winning by 6 wickets. Karan KC was the star performer, picking up 4 wickets, including all the top-order batsmen. With excellent support from Gulsan Jha, who took 3 wickets, Nepal restricted the USA to a modest total of 207 runs.

Head-to-Head ODI Record

West Indies and Nepal have never faced each other in international ODI or T20 matches, making this encounter even more intriguing. In recent matches, West Indies have been in good form, winning 4 out of their last 5 matches, while Nepal also won 4 out of their last 5 matches. However, West Indies enter the match as the favorite due to their experience and skill.

Pitch Report

The pitch at Harare Sports Club has historically favored the batsmen, with an average first-innings score of 240 runs. The highest team innings total on this ground was 350/6 declared by Australia against Zimbabwe, while the lowest team innings total was 35/10 by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka.

According to Samuel Badree’s pitch report, the surface for this match appears to be good for batting. Although the first 30 minutes might pose some challenges due to the swing, the ball is expected to come onto the bat well. The average score batting first at this venue is 230, but a total close to 300 would be ideal.

Pre-Match Analysis

West Indies

West Indies, a team with a rich cricketing history, aims to secure their spot in the upcoming World Cup. The team has a blend of experienced players like Roston Chase, Shai Hope, and Jason Holder, who provide guidance to the younger talents such as Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King. After a stumble in their opening match, West Indies will be eager to showcase their true potential against Nepal.

Nepal

Nepal showed resilience in their second match of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, bouncing back from a disappointing loss against Zimbabwe. Led by Rohit Paudel, Nepal displayed exceptional bowling skills, bowling out the USA for just 207 runs. They will be looking for solid contributions from players like Aarif Sheikh, Sompal Kami, and Sandeep Lamichhane to maintain their winning momentum against West Indies.

Nepal’s batting lineup boasts talented batsmen such as Gyanendra Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee, who have the ability to score crucial runs under pressure. With their young and dynamic team, Nepal is determined to make its mark in international cricket and create a surprise by defeating the more established West Indies team.

Key Players to Watch

West Indies

Nepal

Potential Starting XI

West Indies

Nepal

Nepal vs. West Indies: Chances of Victory

With so many players in their lineup, West Indies are the clear favorites to win this match. On the other hand, Nepal largely relies on Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC, while their major performers among the hitters are Rohit Paudel, Bhim Sharki, and Kushal Bhurtel.

Prediction and Betting Advice for West Indies vs Nepal

West Indies, led by two-time World Cup champion captain Darren Sammy, appear to be a much-balanced team in recent times thanks to their abundance of strong all-rounders from top to bottom. Since they arrived in Zimbabwe on a mission to qualify for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, players like Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Rovman Powell, and Nicholas Pooran, along with captain Shai Hope, have been doing an outstanding job of their jobs and as a result, they have been enjoying big-margin victories.

Nepal, on the other hand, struggled against the United States. Despite having the USA down to 138/7 at one point, they were unable to skittle the USA to a lower-than-average total, but they did manage to win the match. They had previously lost to Zimbabwe by eight wickets, showing that they are not in great shape despite their recent incredible recovery to keep their ODI status.

With 2 points and an NRR of +0.780, West Indies is now second in Group A, just behind Zimbabwe. While they have played one more game than their opponents, Nepal is ranked third with the same number of points but a terrible NRR of +0.099.

Match toss prediction for West Indies vs. Nepal

Batting first helped West Indies win both of their exhibition games, and they did it again in their competition opener. While batting second, Nepal, on the other hand, enjoyed two victories in their previous three matches. It is difficult to forecast because both teams have a tendency to use various strategies. However, given the current vogue, anticipate teams to favor chasing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the clash between West Indies and Nepal in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers promises to be an exciting encounter. With both teams looking to secure victories and make their mark in the tournament, fans can expect a competitive match filled with thrilling moments.

West Indies, with their experience and depth in talent, enter the game as the favorites. However, Nepal’s young and spirited team has the potential to spring a surprise and create an upset. It will be a battle between power and resilience as the two teams strive to secure a crucial win on their journey toward the World Cup.

Cricket enthusiasts around the world will be eagerly watching this match to witness the skills, strategies, and sheer excitement that unfold on the field. So, mark your calendars for June 22nd and get ready for an exhilarating contest between West Indies and Nepal in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. Don’t miss a moment of the action and visit 24betting to place your bets and make the match even more thrilling!