Nepal ODI rankings surge after wins vs USA, Scotland in CWC League 2
Synopsis
Nepal's bowlers are doing the talking in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 — back-to-back wins over the USA and Scotland have sent Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Lalit Rajbanshi up the ODI rankings, signalling that this Himalayan cricketing nation is no longer just making up the numbers in global qualification.
Key Takeaways
Nepal secured consecutive ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 victories over the USA and Scotland last week.
Dipendra Singh Airee rose 3 spots to 79th (bowlers) and 3 places to 25th (all-rounders) after a four-wicket haul vs USA.
Sandeep Lamichhane climbed 6 places to equal 36th ; Lalit Rajbanshi jumped 16 spots to equal 53rd in ODI bowlers' rankings.
Batters Saiteja Mukkamalla (up 5 to 61st ) and Aasif Sheikh (up 7 to equal 86th ) also advanced.
Rashid Khan leads ODI bowlers with 705 rating points ; Daryl Mitchell tops ODI batters, with Virat Kohli second.
Several Nepal cricketers have climbed the ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings following back-to-back victories over the USA and Scotland in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2. The wins, secured last week, have strengthened Nepal's campaign on the road to next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Airee and Spin Duo Lead the Charge
All-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee was Nepal's standout performer, bagging a four-wicket haul against the USA. The 26-year-old rose three spots to 79th in the ODI bowlers' list and climbed three places to 25th among ODI all-rounders — reflecting his growing influence in both departments.
Nepal's spin pair also registered notable gains. Sandeep Lamichhane moved up six rungs to equal 36th, while Lalit Rajbanshi made the biggest leap among the group, climbing 16 places to equal 53rd in the updated ODI bowlers' rankings.
Nepal Batters Also Move Up
The batting unit contributed its share of progress as well. Saiteja Mukkamalla advanced five spots to 61st, and Aasif Sheikh rose seven positions to equal 86th in the ODI batters' chart. The gains reflect a collective team effort rather than reliance on any single match-winner.
Scotland's McMullen Benefits Too
Despite the defeat to Nepal, Scotland's Brandon McMullen also made gains off the back of a career-best 73 against Nepal. He moved up two spots to sixth overall among ODI all-rounders and climbed six places to 53rd among ODI batters — underlining the competitive quality within League 2.
Global Rankings Picture
At the summit of the ODI bowlers' chart, Afghanistan's Rashid Khan remains firmly in command with a rating of 705 points, while his compatriot Azmatullah Omarzai holds the No. 1 position among ODI all-rounders. In batting, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell leads the rankings, followed by India's Virat Kohli. Ibrahim Zadran, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill complete the top five. A potential reshuffling is anticipated when India and Afghanistan meet in a three-match ODI series next month.
What Nepal's Rise Signals
Nepal's consecutive wins and the subsequent rankings movement point to a maturing cricketing unit capable of competing at the qualification stage of a global tournament. This is not a flash-in-the-pan result — the country has been steadily developing its bowling depth, with spin emerging as its primary weapon. How they navigate the remainder of League 2 will determine whether they can sustain this momentum into the final qualification rounds.
Point of View
A World Cup berth is no longer an implausible ambition — it becomes a measurable target.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nepal's players rise in the ICC ODI rankings?
Nepal's players rose in the ICC ODI rankings following back-to-back wins over the USA and Scotland in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 last week. Strong bowling performances, particularly Dipendra Singh Airee's four-wicket haul against the USA, drove the most significant gains.
How much did Dipendra Singh Airee move up in the rankings?
Dipendra Singh Airee climbed three spots to 79th in the ODI bowlers' list and rose three places to 25th among ODI all-rounders. The 26-year-old's four-wicket haul against the USA was the primary catalyst for his rise.
Where do Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi stand in the latest ODI rankings?
Sandeep Lamichhane moved up six places to equal 36th, while Lalit Rajbanshi made the biggest jump — climbing 16 spots to equal 53rd in the updated ICC ODI bowlers' rankings.
Who leads the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers and batters?
Afghanistan's Rashid Khan leads the ODI bowlers' chart with 705 rating points, while New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell tops the ODI batters' list. India's Virat Kohli is ranked second among batters.
What is ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2?
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 is a qualification pathway for associate and emerging cricket nations aiming to reach the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Nepal's recent wins over the USA and Scotland are part of this ongoing competition.
