Nepal eyeing Oman upset in CWC League 2, Airee backs attacking approach
Synopsis
Nepal's vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee has signalled a shift in mindset ahead of Tuesday's CWC League 2 rematch against Oman — from reactive to proactive. With Nepal sitting seventh and needing a top-four finish for direct World Cup Qualifier qualification, the three-match tri-series at home is shaping up as a make-or-break window. Airee's own form turnaround mirrors the team's broader narrative: inconsistency giving way to focus.
Key Takeaways
Nepal vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee backs attacking approach for Tuesday's CWC League 2 clash against Oman in Kirtipur .
Nepal currently sit seventh in League 2 standings; need top-four finish for direct World Cup Qualifier qualification.
Nepal have won only seven matches so far; earlier lost to Oman in the same tri-series.
Captain Rohit Paudel expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform under pressure, citing experience from winning 11 matches in the previous cycle.
Airee attributed his own form improvement to heightened focus, as the team battles batting inconsistency.
Dipendra Singh Airee, Nepal's vice-captain, has backed a positive and attacking approach ahead of Tuesday's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 clash against Oman in Kirtipur, signalling the team's intent to bounce back after an earlier loss to the same opponent in the ongoing tri-series at home.
Nepal head into the contest with a mixed record in the tri-series. While they have notched two wins over the UAE, their campaign has been hampered by an underwhelming performance against Oman earlier, leaving them hungry for redemption.
Building on recent momentum
Acknowledging the team's inconsistent displays, Airee emphasised the importance of converting recent improvements into results. "We couldn't play well in the first two matches. Now the partnerships are getting better. If we can play by taking that positively, we can achieve a good result against Oman," the all-rounder said, according to the ICC.
Airee also reflected on his own turnaround in form. "Other players are not scoring runs. Perhaps because I am a bit more focused, I am doing well. Earlier, I wasn't scoring runs either," he noted, pointing to a shift in mindset as the team battles inconsistency across the batting order.
Qualification hopes on the line
Nepal currently occupy seventh place in the League 2 standings, with direct qualification for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier contingent on a top-four finish by the end of the cycle. With only seven wins so far, every remaining fixture carries heightened significance.
Captain's confidence in pressure situations
Captain Rohit Paudel echoed the sentiment, backing his side to respond when the stakes are highest. "It is our nature to play under pressure. Therefore, we are hopeful that we will secure a win," he said, expressing belief in the team's ability to deliver in crunch moments.
Paudel drew confidence from the squad's tournament pedigree. "The same players who played a role in winning 11 matches in the previous cycle are still in the team today. We have already endured that level of pressure. Therefore, the upcoming matches will be even more important," he added.
Road ahead
With qualification ambitions still within reach, Nepal will be aiming to marry resilience with a proactive approach as they seek to turn their campaign around in the crucial fixture against Oman.
Point of View
And a seventh-place standing with only seven wins offers slim margin for error. Airee's candid admission — that he improved by focusing more, while teammates struggled — hints at a deeper issue: batting depth. The tri-series at home is their last realistic window to build momentum before the stretch run. If they lose to Oman again, the narrative shifts from 'bounce-back' to 'crisis'.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Nepal's match against Oman significant in CWC League 2?
Nepal are currently seventh in the League 2 standings and need a top-four finish to secure direct qualification for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. They have won only seven matches so far, making every remaining fixture crucial. They also lost to Oman earlier in the same tri-series, making Tuesday's rematch a chance for redemption.
What did Dipendra Singh Airee say about Nepal's approach against Oman?
Airee called for a positive and attacking approach, stating: "We couldn't play well in the first two matches. Now the partnerships are getting better. If we can play by taking that positively, we can achieve a good result against Oman."
How has Dipendra Singh Airee's form been recently?
Airee has been in good form recently, which he attributed to heightened focus on his own performance. He noted that while other players in the team have struggled to score runs, his shift in mindset has helped him perform better after a period of inconsistency earlier.
What did Captain Rohit Paudel say about Nepal's chances?
Paudel expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform under pressure, saying: "It is our nature to play under pressure. Therefore, we are hopeful that we will secure a win." He also cited the experience of the same squad that won 11 matches in the previous cycle.
