After a long hiatus due to Covid-19, the Cricket World Cup League 2 is back. The United States of America will be taking on Nepal at Al Amerat Cricket Ground, on Monday (13 September). The top-three sides will earn direct entry to the ODI World Cup qualifier 2023.
Nepal will be without Dav Whatmore, as the head coach resigned a few weeks ago. They will be high on confidence, after winning two successive matches against Papua New Guinea last week.
Sandeep Lamichhane is in terrific form. He picked up four wickets in the first match against PNG, and followed it with a six-wicket haul in the second. He was adjudged as Player of the Match on both occasions.
Nepal is one of the strongest teams in the league, led by Gyanendra Malla, who made 45 in the last game. Rohit Paudel has been the most consistent batter, and he has scores of 41 and 86 in the last two ODIs.
The USA also won their both games against PNG. Steven Taylor starred with a 55-ball 82 in the first game as they chased down a target of 159 runs in 28.2 overs. The second game will always be remembered for Jaskaran Malhotra's heroics. His unbeaten 173 blew the opponents away. Malhotra also became the first American to slam six sixes in an over.
Betway Fantasy Tips
- Appoint Lamichhane as a captain. He has picked up 10 wickets in the last two games. The last time Nepal took on the USA, Lamichhane finished with six wickets to his name.
- Taylor and Malla are two must-haves for your fantasy team.
Probable XI
Nepal: Gyanendra Malla(c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(wk), Aarif Sheikh, Sharad Vesawkar, Sompal Kami, Bikram Sob, Sandeep Lamichhane, Rohit Paudel, Kushal Malla, Pawan Saraf
The United States of America: Saurabh Netravalkar (c), Monak Patel (wk), Steven Taylor, Sushant Modani, Gajanand Singh, Elmore Hutchinson, Nosthush Kenjige, Nisarg Patel, Jaskaran Malhotra, Karima Gore, Jessy Singh
Prediction:
Nepal should easily win this game.
Blitzpools Fantasy Team
Jaskaran Malhotra, Monak Patel, Gyanendra Malla (vc), Rohit Paudel, Sushant Modani, Steven Taylor, Kushal Malla, Nisarg Patel, Sandeep Lamichhane (c), Saurabh Netravalkar, Bikram Sob
