*WEST INDIES VS NEPAL MATCH 9 PREVIEW: ICC WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
WestIndies entered into the fray as a team which is likely to move ahead and into the right direction, booking a spot in the WorldCup but they did not look at their supreme best in their opening encounter versus USA where only a 39 run loss was handed over to the States. When a team visits the Harare, there’s expectation of high scores and the boys from the Caribbean have a task in their hands to make a statement and go big if given a chance to bat first. They have a powerpacked batting lineup that can threaten and loosen the strings of any team and a show of quality is what we expect from them. Nepal are the underdogs no doubt but not good enough on paper to make WI pay, and the latter must prove it tomorrow.
Nepal on the other hand, have mixed results heading into their third game of this tourney. The Asian side received a hammering first up but came back strongly to hand USA a defeat with 7 overs to spare. They will see WI as an uphill task that would require smart work as well as a great deal of skill, and if both are combined then who knows? They could send the 2 time CWC winning champions into a shell shocked state.
With the hope of a good game on our hands and not a one sided affair, let us review the probable XIs
*WI PROBABLE XI:*
Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Keemo Paul
Honestly, it’s hard to break down WI as a team. They tend to play cricket in a freakish manner, swinging hard at times but when sensibility kicks in, they play with responsibility. As a collective unit, the Windies Cricket are yet to find the right balance between fearless cricket and careless cricket. They are a side who could put up 400 on board but could also get bundled under 150. Players like- Charles, Hope, Pooran, Chase and Holdar did a good job last game and registered individual fifties boosting the WI score to a 297 all out. They are in good stead and should repeat the heroics.
Holdar was arguably the most potent bowler of the Carribean boys the last time they played with him giving away just 36 off his 8 and sending one batter back to the pavilion. Alzarri on the other hand, would love to come up with a better show, restricting the Nepali batters and not getting carried away with the occasional bounce on offer on these Zimbabwe tracks.
*NEPAL PROBABLE XI:*
Kushal Burthel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi
Lamichhane, coming into the tournament with a reputed personality as a leggie, has been ineffective. He has not been able to pick up even a single wicket when 12 opposition wickets have fallen in front of him. He’s been producing lopsided figures but what better opportunity than to rise up and conquer all demons against the best in the business. We have seen the vulnerability of WI batters over the years against the leg spinners with strike with googlies, and this matchup could well turn into his favour.
Barring Nisarg Patel, the entire Nepali group were bonkers with the bowl against USA. To rattle the opposition for a mere 207 speaks tons about how brutal this showing was. WI are a much better unit but form is what counts in big games like these. If they end up bowling even half as good as what they did the other day, expect a thrilling contest.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THE GAME:*
*FOR WI:*
Highest run getter- Shai Hope/Nicholas Pooran
Highest wicket taker- Alzarri Joseph/Akeal Hossain
*FOR NEPAL:*
Highest run getter- Kushal Burthel/Bhim Sharki
Highest wicket taker- Karan KC/Sandeep Lamichhane
*FOR THIS GAME:*
WI to win two in two with a good victory.