Nepal opened their final League 2 tri-series on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with a hard-fought 24-run victory over Canada at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Muscat, Oman, driven by a resilient century from captain Rohit Paudel.
Defending a total of 235, Nepal bowled out Canada for 211 in 48.4 overs. Captain Rohit Paudel was named Player of the Match for his anchor knock of 101 off 127 deliveries, lifting Nepal past Canada into sixth place on the League 2 points table.
1. Verified Score Summary
| Innings | Total | Overs | Top Scorers | Leading Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 235 all out | 50.0 | Rohit Paudel 101 (127), Gulshan Jha 48 (34), Basir Ahamad 30 (57) | Akhil Kumar 4/68 (10), Sukhjinder Singh 3/44 (10), Zahid Shirzad 2/44 (10) |
| Canada | 211 all out | 48.4 | Aaron Johnson 44 (49), Samit Gohel 35 (59), Akhil Kumar 30* (26) | Sandeep Lamichhane 2/33 (10), Karan KC 2/36 (8.4), Lalit Rajbanshi 2/36 (10), Nandan Yadav 2/37 (8) |
2. Key Match Contributions and Highlights
Invited to bat first after Canada captain Hamza Tariq won the toss, Nepal suffered early blows, slipping to 42 for 3 after losing opener Aasif Sheikh (4), Ishan Pandey (0), and Arjun Kumal (23 off 54). Rohit Paudel rebuilt the innings through two crucial partnerships: a measured 77-run stand for the fourth wicket with Basir Ahamad (30 off 57), followed by an explosive 82-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Gulshan Jha, who struck four boundaries and three sixes in his 34-ball 48.
Paudel reached his third ODI century off 125 balls, finishing on 101 with eight fours and one six before being dismissed in the final over. He remains the only Nepali cricketer to register three centuries in One-Day Internationals.
In response, Canada established a steady foundation via Aaron Johnson (44) and Samit Gohel (35). However, regular breakthroughs from Nepal's four frontline bowlers dismantled Canada's middle order. Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi, and Nandan Yadav claimed two wickets apiece, while Gulshan Jha took one, stopping Canada 25 runs short of their target.
3. Standings Context & ODI Status Implications
Under the ICC League 2 format, the top four teams qualify for the global 2027 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, while the top six teams retain direct One-Day International (ODI) status and bypass the relegation playoff.
With 26 points from 33 matches, Nepal can no longer mathematically reach the top four. However, this win elevated Nepal above Canada into sixth place (Canada have 25 points from 34 matches). Importantly, this single victory does not guarantee ODI status retention. Nepal must secure positive results in their remaining three fixtures in Muscat (one more against Canada and two against Oman) to stave off Canada and the UAE.
4. Confirmed Next Fixture
Nepal vs. Oman (Match 136)
- Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Venue: Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1), Muscat, Oman
- Match Timings: 10:00 AM Local Oman Time (GST, UTC+4) | 11:45 AM Nepal Standard Time (NPT, UTC+5:45)
5. Related Cricket Coverage
- Pre-Match Analysis: Nepal vs Canada Match Preview: Start Time, Venue, Predicted XIs, and League 2 Standings Stakes
Official Scorecard & Discrepancy Note:
Statistics verified against the official ICC and Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) match scorecard. Note: While initial domestic reports varied regarding Canada’s batting breakdown, official scoring records confirm that Samit Gohel scored 35 off 59 balls, whereas Harsh Thaker made 15 off 28 balls. Official captaincy roles: Rohit Paudel (Nepal) and Hamza Tariq (Canada).
