The two-match ODI series between Nepal and Papua New Guinea will get underway on 7 September, taking place at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground, Oman.
Gyanendra Malla’s Nepal won the tri-nation T20I series this April, which also featured Netherlands and Malaysia. They beat the Netherlands by 142 runs. On that day, they piled 238/3 after being asked to bat. Kushal Bhurtel made 77 in 53 balls at the top, and Kushal Malla’s unbeaten 24-ball 50 and Dipendra Singh Airee’s unbeaten 18-ball 48 helped them to reach the total.
Coming to defend, Nepalese bowlers Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan K.C., and Kamal Airee then ran through the Netherlands to wrap them up for just 96 in 17.2 overs. Bhurtel was adjudged Player of the Series for his 278 runs in five matches, while Lamichhane was the leading wicket-taker, with 13 scalps.
Led by Assad Vala, Papua New Guinea’s last match also came against the Netherlands, way back in November 2019. It was the final of Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019, from where Papua New Guinea became the first team to qualify for the T20 World Cup.
On that day, PNG only managed 128/8 after opting to bat. Jason Kila played a quickfire 11-ball 27 not out, while the rest of his teammates struggled to get going. The Dutch were comfortable in the chase to ensure their qualification for the T20 World Cup. They reached the target with six balls to spare. Vala was the pick of the Papua New Guinea bowlers, returning 4-1-15-1.
Betway Fantasy Tips
– Bet on Papua New Guinea. Pick Vala as captain.
– Malla, Bhurtel, Lega Siaka are highly dependent top order batters.
– Make Lamichhane vice-captain if you go for Nepal. Include Karan as well.
Probable XIs
Nepal: Gyanendra Malla (c), Binod Bhandari (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Abinash Bohara, Kamal Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane.
Papua New Guinea: Assad Vala (c), Kiplin Doriga (wk), Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Norman Vanua, Riley Hekure, Jason Kila, Damien Ravu, Nosaina Pokana.
Prediction
A tight contest. Papua New Guinea may win the first match.
BlitzPools Fantasy XI
Assad Vala (C), Kushal Bhurtel (VC), Binod Bhandari, Gyanendra Malla, Lega Siaka, Kushal Malla, Norman Vanua, Nosaina Pokana, Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Kamal Singh Airee.