ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2023: Zimbabwe vs Nepal – 1st Match Preview and Updates

Cricket

The upcoming match between Zimbabwe and Nepal promises to be an exciting one, as both teams will compete in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers on June 18, 2023.

Both competitors have strengths and weaknesses, and it will be interesting to see how they adapt to each other’s playstyles and strategies. Zimbabwe is known for having a strong batting lineup, whereas Nepal has a strong bowling attack. The game promises to be a close one with a lot of back and forth, and the outcome is unknown.

Zimbabwe defeated the Netherlands in a three-match One-Day International series earlier this year. After three months, the home team will return to ODI action. Captain Craig Ervine will be hoping that the team can deliver with bat and ball in this first match.

Nepal, on the other hand, will need to adapt to the circumstances and put on a good performance against Zimbabwe. Skipper Rohit Paudel will be hoping for discipline in all three departments in this opening match.

Zimbabwe and Nepal have yet to play each other in a limited-overs match.

The 1st Match, Group A between Zimbabwe vs Nepal will take place on June 18th, 2023 at Harare Sports Club, Harare.

Match Details to Note

Match: Zimbabwe vs Nepal, 1st Match, Group A, ICC World Cup Qualifiers, 2023

Date: June 18, 2023 (Sunday)

Time: 12:30 PM IST

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Zimbabwe vs Nepal

Zimbabwe (Match Odds – 1.22):

Preview:

Batting, the team will rely on Wesley Madhevere, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Innocent Kaia to deliver the majority of the runs.

All-rounder Sikandar Raza has led Zimbabwe’s limited-overs batting charts since June 2022. Raza has scored 533 runs at an average of 48.45 in 15 matches, including three centuries.

Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Tendai Chatara, Sean Williams, and Wesley Madhevere will be relied on to deliver crucial breakthroughs in the bowling department.

Off-spinner Sikandar has been Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker since June 2022, with 13 wickets at an average of 41.15.

Full Squad:

Craig Ervine (c), Innocent Kaia, Joylord Gumbie, Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Bradley Evans, Tendai Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Players to watch out for:

Sikandar Raza

Sikandar Raza is one of the best all-rounders in the world right now, and his presence on the Zimbabwe team is a huge advantage for them because he has played in many leagues around the world. This will be Raza’s final World Cup, as he is already 37 years old. He has an excellent ODI record, having played 129 matches and scoring 3764 runs and taking 76 wickets.

Sean Williams

Sean Williams is one of Zimbabwe’s underrated all-rounders, but he has been playing for his country for a long time, and he has played 149 matches in which he scored 4386 runs and took 80 wickets, which is an incredible all-round performance.

Blessing Muzarabani

Blessing Muzarabani has been Zimbabwe’s top bowler for a long time, and he has played in many county teams in England as well as some T20 leagues, demonstrating his abilities. He played 36 One-Day Internationals and took 48 wickets, which is quite impressive for any bowler, and the pitch favors bowlers more, so it could be an amazing outing for the pace bowler against Nepal.

Possible Playing XI:

Craig Ervine (c), Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Ryan Burl, Innocent Kaia, Brad Evans, Clive Madande (wk), Blessing Muzarabani, Brandon Muvata and Richard Ngarava

Nepal (Match Odds – 4.30):

Preview:

The majority of the runs will be scored by Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Bhim Sarki, Karan KC, and Gulshan Jha in the batting department.

Nepal’s batting order has been led by opener Aasif Sheikh since June 2022. Sheikh has 726 runs at an average of 33.00 in 25 matches, with one century and five half-centuries.

In addition to Sheikh, skipper Rohit Paudel has 579 runs at an average of 26.31 with three half-centuries.

Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, and Lalit Rajbanshi will be relied on to deliver crucial breakthroughs in the bowling department.

Full Squad:

Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Gyanendra Malla, Kushal Malla, Gulsan Jha, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Bhim Sharki, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish JC, Arjun Saud, Kishor Mahato

Players to watch out for:

Aasif Sheikh

Aasif Sheikh, the team’s wicketkeeper, has been one of the team’s top performers, scoring 324 runs with an average of 40.50 in his last ten matches. He appeared in 37 One-Day Internationals, scoring 1081 runs at an average of 31.79.

Bhim Sharki

Bhim Sharki is one of Nepal’s most promising young players, having scored 330 runs in 11 ODIs with an average of 41.25. He scored 58 points in the warm-up match against Oman, demonstrating how good he can be in the future.

Sandeep Lamichhane

Sandeep Lamichhane is a well-known player who has played in numerous top leagues around the world and has taken 104 wickets in only 43 matches. He took 22 wickets in his last nine matches, which is quite impressive for any bowler, but the main issue is the pitch condition, as Zimbabwe’s pitches favor pace bowlers more.

Possible Playing XI:

Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulsan Jha

Zimbabwe vs Nepal Head to Head

Zimbabwe and Nepal have never played an international ODI match against each other, but they have played two T20 matches, both of which Zimbabwe easily won, giving them an advantage in the upcoming class in the ODI World Cup Qualifiers.

Zimbabwe vs Nepal Toss Prediction

Both teams will aim to win the toss, bowl first, and limit the opposing team to fewer than 265 runs.

Zimbabwe vs Nepal Pitch Report

The opening match of the 2023 ICC World Cup Qualifiers between Zimbabwe and Nepal will be played at Harare Sports Club in Harare.

The game’s pitch will be suitable for batting, with some assistance for spinners. The forecast for Sunday’s match is bright and sunny, with humidity around 42%.

Zimbabwe vs Nepal Prediction

Based on their current form, host Zimbabwe will be slight favorites to defeat Nepal. Zimbabwe, led by Craig Ervine, Wesley Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, and Blessing Muzarabani, will be looking for a clinical batting performance in this match. Check out the odds at Cricbaba!

Zimbabwe is the favourite to beat Nepal at the odds of 1.22.

Zimbabwe vs Nepal Most Recommended Player for Bet:

The Harare Sports Club is a favorite haunt of Zimbabwean players such as Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, and Craig Ervine. We can expect a couple of good innings here as they face a relatively inexperienced bowling attack from Nepal.

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