Papua New Guinea are all set to tour Nepal for a 2 match ODI series starting from March 25. Both the 50 over games will be played in Kirtipur Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. Both the teams recently locked horns in the ICC CWC League 2, where Nepal outclassed Papua New Guinea by 7 wickets in Dubai. Twin fifties from Aarif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel steered Nepal to chase down PNG’s modest target of 174. The clash between the two is all set to intensify. Papua New Guinea will be upbeat to avenge their loss while Nepal will look forward to hosting them at their home.
Match Details
Date : Friday, March 25, 2022
Time : 8:45 AM (IST) / 09:00 AM LOCAL
Venue : Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Where To Watch : Fancode
Pitch Report
Kirtipur Cricket Ground is usually a good batting track with a bit of assistance to seamers upfront. Only 6 ODIs have been played in this stadium so far. An even contest between the bat and ball is expected. The average score batting first is 193 while that in the case of 2nd innings drops to 163. Hence, teams should opt to bat first on winning the toss.
Weather Forecast
Partly sunny skies with little chance of precipitation is predicted. The average temperature will be 25°C alongside humidity of around 34%.
NEP vs PNG : Head To Head
Nepal has a 100 percent win rate over Papua New Guinea in ODIs. The two teams have faced each other on 4 occasions and each time Nepal has had the upper hand. Papua New Guinea will definitely aim to script history in the upcoming series.
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NEP vs PNG Dream 11 Top Picks
Assad Vala
The Papua New Guinea skipper will have to lead from the front in order to tackle the Nepal challenge. The flamboyant southpaw plays the role of an anchor in the top order and the team will heavily depend on his form as a batter in order to post huge totals. The captain also bowls right-arm off break and has so far bagged 32 wickets in 39 matches.
Chad Soper
The swashbuckling all-rounder will be key for Papua New Guinea especially in the middle overs as a batter. The 30-year-old has aggregated over 469 runs in 31 matches at an average over 20. Soper is a clinical seamer as well, who can pick crucial scalps alongside maintaining a decent economy. In 31 ODIs, the right-arm medium-fast bowler has 44 dismissals to his name.
Sandeep Lamichhane
The spin wizard from Nepal has been a sensation with the ball in the past few years. His experience in several major T20 leagues plus his mastery over leg-spin makes him the X-factor for Nepal. The Nepal skipper’s lethal googlies will definitely be the toughest hurdle for Papua New Guinea in the 2-match series.
Dream 11 Fantasy Team 1 For NEP vs PNG
Wicketkeepers: Simon Atai
Batters: Sese Bau, Hiri Hiri, Kushal Bhurtel
All-rounders: Chad Soper, Assad Vala, Dipendra Singh Airee, Jason Kila
Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane, Kamal Singh Airee, Norman Vanua
Dream11 Captain & Vice-Captain Choice For Today’s Match
Captain: Sandeep Lamichhane
Vice-Captain: Assad Vala
Dream 11 Fantasy Team 2 For NEP vs PNG
Wicketkeepers: Simon Atai
Batters: Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Kushal Bhurtel, Aarif Sheikh
All-rounders: Chad Soper, Assad Vala, Pawan Sarraf
Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane, Norman Vanua, Riley Hekure
Dream11 Captain & Vice-Captain Choice For Today’s Match
Captain: Sandeep Lamichhane
Vice-Captain: Chad Soper
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NEP vs PNG : Probable XI
Papua New Guinea: Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, Assad Vala(c), Charles Amini, Riley Hekure, Sese Bau, Chad Soper, Simon Atai(wk), Hiri Hiri, Norman Vanua, Jason Kila
Nepal : Kushal Bhurtel, Aarif Sheikh, Anil Sah(wk), Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Pawan Sarraf, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane(c), Kamal Singh Airee, Bikram Sob, Bhim Sharki
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
Nepal will definitely enter as the favorites in the 2 match ODI series. With home advantage on their side, Lamichhane and his troops will look to take the lead in the 1st ODI. Papua New Guinea might be the underdogs, however, they will definitely be a formidable challenge for the hosts.
