Match: 88th Match, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2
Teams: Nepal vs United States of America
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM Local (9:30 AM Gulf Standard Time)
Venue: ICC Academy (Oval 1), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Format: 50-over ODI
Toss: Yet to be announced
Live Streaming: ICC.tv (worldwide), FanCode (India), Kantipur Max TV (Nepal), Willow TV (USA)
Recent Form and Context
This is the second meeting between Nepal and USA in this tri-series. In their first encounter on October 26, USA registered a commanding 106-run victory over Nepal at Dubai International Stadium. USA posted 262 runs, with contributions from Smit Patel (75), Milind Kumar (70*), and Saiteja Mukkamalla (42), before Harmeet Singh’s outstanding bowling figures of 6/27 helped bowl out Nepal for just 156.
USA are currently placed at the 1st position on ICC CWC League 2 points table with 16 wins and 6 losses to their credit. Nepal, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after their recent defeat to UAE by 5 wickets.
Expected/Likely Playing XIs
Nepal (Likely XI – based on recent matches)
Source: Recent lineups from matches on October 26 and 30, 2025 (ESPNcricinfo, Outlook India)
- Kushal Bhurtel (Opener)
- Aasif Sheikh (WK) (Opener)
- Bhim Sharki
- Rohit Paudel (C)
- Aarif Sheikh
- Dipendra Singh Airee (VC)
- Gulsan Jha
- Sompal Kami
- Karan KC
- Sandeep Lamichhane
- Lalit Rajbanshi
Note: This lineup is based on Nepal’s recent matches in this series. Final XI will be confirmed at the toss.
USA (Likely XI – based on recent matches)
Source: USA Cricket official announcement and recent lineups (USA Cricket, Outlook India)
- Andries Gous (Opener)
- Shayan Jahangir (Opener)
- Monank Patel (C/WK)
- Saiteja Mukkamalla
- Milind Kumar
- Smit Patel
- Harmeet Singh
- Shubham Ranjane
- Nosthush Kenjige
- Saurabh Netravalkar
- Rushil Ugarkar
Note: This lineup is based on USA’s recent performances. Squad includes Jessy Singh (VC), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Yasir Mohammad, and Juanoy Drysdale as additional options.
Players to Watch
| Category | Nepal | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Key Batters | Rohit Paudel (Captain – scored 109 vs UAE), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh | Monank Patel (Captain), Milind Kumar (70* in last match vs Nepal), Smit Patel |
| All-rounders | Dipendra Singh Airee | Harmeet Singh (6/27 in last match), Saiteja Mukkamalla |
| Key Bowlers | Sandeep Lamichhane (leg-spinner), Karan KC, Sompal Kami | Saurabh Netravalkar, Nosthush Kenjige, Harmeet Singh |
Star Performers:
- Harmeet Singh (USA): The left-arm spinner is in red-hot form, having taken 6 wickets for just 27 runs in the teams’ last meeting.
- Rohit Paudel (Nepal): The captain showed his class with a century (109 runs) against UAE, though his team fell short.
Venue and Pitch Report
ICC Academy, Dubai is a modern cricket facility known for hosting associate cricket matches. The pitches at this venue generally provide consistent bounce and pace, making it suitable for fast-paced cricket. The pitch is decent and sporting, and dew does not play a big role here.
Weather Conditions: Dubai weather in early November is pleasant for cricket. The temperature is expected to be around 29°C with 48% humidity and 8.3 km/h wind speed, with clear skies and no chances of rain.
What to Expect: Both teams should find good batting conditions, especially in the first half of the innings. Fast bowlers can get some movement early on, while spinners will play a crucial role in the middle overs.
What to Expect and Prediction
This match is crucial for both teams in their World Cup qualification journey. USA comes into this game with confidence after their dominant win in the first meeting, particularly with Harmeet Singh’s brilliant bowling performance.
Nepal will be disappointed after losing to both USA and UAE in this tri-series. Captain Rohit Paudel has been in good form with the bat, but the team needs more support from the middle order. Their bowling will need to improve significantly to contain USA’s batting lineup.
Key Battle: Nepal’s batting vs Harmeet Singh’s spin bowling will be fascinating to watch. If Nepal’s batters can negotiate the USA spin attack, they have a chance to post a competitive total.
Prediction: USA enters as favorites based on their recent form and the first match result. Their balanced team with strong batting depth and effective spin bowling gives them an edge. However, cricket in Dubai can be unpredictable, and if Nepal’s top order fires, they could pull off an upset.
Expected Winner: USA (60-40)
Both teams will be eager to collect valuable points in this important World Cup League 2 fixture. Fans can expect an exciting contest at the ICC Academy!