ICC World Cup Qualifiers, WI vs NEP | Match Preview, Pitch Report, Predicted XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction

West Indies players celebrate a wicket (Twitter)

The West Indies team, under Shai Hope’s leadership, will be taking on Nepal in match number nine of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers 2023. The much-awaited fixture will be played out at the iconic Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.

Team Preview: West Indies

The West Indies defeated the United States in their opening game of the tournament by 39 runs. Shai Hope, alongside Johnson Charles, Roston Chase and Jason Holder listed sparkling half-centuries to set up a competitive 297 upfront. Later, the bowlers restricted the United States response to just 258.

West Indies, in their quest of claiming a spot in the 2023 World Cup in India later this year, entered the qualifying event with an emphatic 3-0 win in the UAE. They are currently on a four-game winning streak, all this month, after a fighting drawn series in South Africa earlier this year.

Team Preview: Nepal

Nepal players celebrate a wicket against USA (Twitter)

Nepal lost their opening match of the competition to hosts Zimbabwe by eight wickets and 35 balls to spare. Rohit Paudel and co. regrouped and registered a win in their next game against the United States with an identical margin in Harare. With a win and a defeat to their name, they are currently placed at number three on the Group A points table.

Back in May, Nepal also triumphed at the ACC Men’s Premier Cup at home with an unbeaten run. Fine-tuning for the qualifying event, they trashed UAE in the Premier Cup final in Kirtipur.

Match Details

Date and Time: June 22, 12:30 PM IST
Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare
Live Streaming and Broadcast: Star Sports Network & Disney+Hotstar

Pitch Report

The Harare Sports Club is known to be conducive for batters, with something on offer for the pacers as well. In the two matches played at the venue this tournament, the average first innings score has been 302. On both occasions, the chasing sides emerged victorious in the high-scoring affairs. Considering the recent track record, the captain winning the toss might opt to bowl first.

Probable Playing XIs

WI: Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (c & wk), Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph.

Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Malla, Rohit Paudel (c), Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Bhim Sharki, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi.

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicketkeeper: Shai Hope
Batters: Kushal Bhurtel, Brandon King, Bhim Sharki, Nicholas Pooran
All-Rounders: Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers,
Bowlers: Keemo Paul, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Alzarri Joseph

Captain: Shai Hope
Vice-Captain: Bhim Sharki

Prediction

The West Indies team start out as favourites to defeat Nepal in their Group A game.

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