Latest update December 16th, 2024 9:00 AM
In-form Windies face Nepal today in exciting match
ICC World Cup Qualifier Match 9 – West Indies vs. Nepal
Kaieteur Sports – After a comprehensive victory over a spirited USA team, West Indies will be keen on preserving their win streak come today when they battle Nepal as the ICC World Cup Qualifiers continue in Zimbabwe.
Bhim Sharki
Both sides managed to beat the USA team despite some good individual performances from the North Americans, with Guyana entering the match in 2nd place while Nepal currently sits in 3rd, with both team’s being tied on 2 points each.
The Windies will be rallying behind their batsmen who set up a big win for them in the previous game. Veterans Johnson Charles, skipper Shai Hope, former captain Jason Holder and Roston Chase all hit fifties, which turned out to be match-winning knocks.
With the core of the batting looking ominous, including Nicholas Pooran who missed out on a half-century by a few runs but maintained his aggression will be called upon today as they seek to negate a crafty Nepalese bowling attack.
Although star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, arguably Nepal’s best bowler went wicket-less in the last game against the USA, it remains unlikely that the 22 year old Googly-specialist with more than 100 ODI victims, will stay in his slump and could likely be an X-Factor should he hit his straps today.
Sandeep Lamichhane
His teammates, seamers Karan Chhetri who bagged 4 wickets and Gulshan Jha who had 3 against the US, should maintain their form and look to give their partner the confidence needed to get back to his wicket-taking ways.
Windies on the other hand, almost struggled during their time with the ball despite a collective effort from the likes of pacers Kyle Mayers and Alzarri Joseph, who led with two wickets apiece.
Joseph was a bit expensive in the last game but remains a primary wicket-taking option for Hope while Holder’s veteran presence and his all-round prowess especially with the ball, will further add to the Maroon Men’s confidence against a tricky challenge.
One thing the West Indies will want is for the duo of all-rounder Keemo Paul and spinner Akeal Hosein to quickly get back to their wicket-getting ways. Both players went wicket-less in the last game but bowled well for their team as they form a key part of the West Indies bowling attack.
Keemo Paul
Nepal also will want much from their batsmen after a strong showing against the USA. 21 year-old opener Bhim Sharki hit his 3rd ODI half-century, 77 not out while a number of other batsmen including his fellow teammate Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Airee showed glimpses of form and could easily continue to gain form.
Nepal will also want their 20 year-old Captain Rohit Paudel to hit some form after making just 16. The all-rounder has 8 half-centuries and a ton under his belt and is a few games shy of playing his 50th ODI match.
Although the Windies will fancy their chances, they will need to hit the Nepalese hard and come out with guns blazing should they look to maintain their unbeaten run.
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