Nepal vs Namibia – 116th ODI, ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2026: Venue, Squads, Pitch & Prediction

The ICC Cricket World Cup League Two 2023-27 campaign moves to European soil as Nepal and Namibia lock horns in the 116th match of the tournament. This crucial encounter takes place on July 21, 2026, at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd in Utrecht, Netherlands, marking an important away fixture for both sides in their quest for World Cup qualification .

Match Details

This match is the first of Nepal’s four matches in the Netherlands leg, where they will also face hosts Netherlands twice .

The Big Picture – What’s at Stake?

Points Table Scenario

The top four teams in League 2 qualify directly for the 2027 Cricket World Cup Qualifier, while the bottom four must go through the Qualifier Play-off route . For Nepal, currently fifth, and Namibia, sitting seventh, this tri-series represents a direct opportunity to close the gap on Oman and Netherlands.

A win for Nepal would take them to 26 points and keep them ahead of Namibia and Canada in the race. A defeat, however, would allow Namibia to draw level on points before tougher fixtures against the Netherlands arrive .

Squads at a Glance

Nepal Squad

Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee (vc), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Ishan Pandey, Aarif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sandeep Lamichhane, Arjun Kumal, Binod Bhandari .

Namibia Squad

Gerhard Erasmus (c), Malan Kruger, Jan Frylinck, Michael van Lingen, Louren Steenkamp, Alexander Volschenk, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, JC Balt, Max Heingo, Jack Brassell, Waldo Smith .

Form Guide – Who Comes In Hot?

Nepal’s Recent Momentum

Nepal enter this match on the back of a dominant home stretch at Kirtipur, where they won six of their eight encounters against Oman, UAE, United States, and Scotland . This run propelled them from seventh to fifth in the standings.

A productive preparation tour in Jersey further boosted confidence:

• First warm-up: Won by 81 runs – Kushal Bhurtel scored 105 
• Second warm-up: Won by 8 runs (DLS) – Ishan Pandey made 90, Bhurtel added 51 

Key individual form:

• Kushal Bhurtel: Has scored 202 runs in his last five ODIs, plus a century in warm-ups 
• Dipendra Singh Airee: 384 runs and 11 wickets in last eight appearances 
• Sandeep Lamichhane: 19 wickets in last eight matches; has taken a wicket in 13 consecutive matches since June 2025 

Namibia’s Preparation

Namibia also arrive with solid preparation, having beaten Vidarbha in a five-match build-up series in India. Jan Frylinck scored a century (103) and Nicol Loftie-Eaton produced strong all-round performances. Coach Craig Williams confirmed no injury concerns before the tour .

Venue Guide – Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht

Pitch Report

The Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd pitch presents a different challenge from the spin-friendly Kirtipur surface :

• Surface: Light grass covering, favoring fast bowlers, especially swing bowlers 
• Pace assistance: Seamers stay in the game with the new ball, particularly in the first 20 overs 
• Batting: Gets easier as the pitch flattens after the initial overs 
• Average first-innings score: Around 210-230; not a ground where 300 should be assumed as par 

Toss Decision

Historical data from six ODIs at the venue shows:

• Teams batting second have won 4 times 
• Teams batting first have won 2 times

The captain winning the toss may choose to bowl first and exploit the early swing assistance .

Weather Forecast

Utrecht weather is expected to be mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with temperatures around 22-25°C. Rain risk is low, with light-to-moderate wind expected during playing hours .

Head-to-Head Record – Namibia Leads

Top Head-to-Head Performers:

Most Runs:

• Michael van Lingen (NAM) – 338 runs
• Gerhard Erasmus (NAM) – 259 runs
• Aasif Sheikh (NEP) – 199 runs 

Highest Scores:

• Michael van Lingen – 133
• Kushal Bhurtel – 115
• Aasif Sheikh – 81 

Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus has a 100% winning record as captain against Nepal .

Players to Watch

Nepal

Kushal Bhurtel (Opener) – Nepal’s form batter, coming off a century in warm-ups and consistent runs in recent ODIs. His role at the top becomes even more critical in European conditions where early wickets can expose the middle order prematurely .

Sandeep Lamichhane (Leg-spinner) – The anchor of Nepal’s bowling attack. His 19 wickets in last eight matches and streak of 13 consecutive matches with at least one wicket make him Nepal’s most reliable weapon . In the middle overs against Namibia’s left-hand-heavy batting lineup, his role will be crucial .

Dipendra Singh Airee (All-rounder) – In impeccable form with both bat and ball – 384 runs and 11 wickets in his last eight appearances . His powerful hitting and useful off-spin make him a game-changer .

Namibia

Michael van Lingen (Batter) – Namibia’s most dangerous batter against Nepal. Has scored 338 runs in head-to-head encounters, including a century . His battle against Nepal’s spinners could decide the match.

Gerhard Erasmus (Captain/Batter) – Has 259 runs against Nepal and a perfect captaincy record . A composed player who can anchor the innings and accelerate when needed.

Ruben Trumpelmann (Pacer) – The fiery fast bowler can exploit the swing-friendly Utrecht conditions with the new ball . He took two wickets in Namibia’s last match and will be a threat to Nepal’s top order.

Match Prediction

Factors Favoring Nepal

✅ Recent form: Five consecutive wins across formats
✅ Player momentum: Bhurtel, Airee, and Lamichhane in excellent touch
✅ Balanced squad: Strong spin options and in-form batting lineup
✅ Preparation: Two convincing warm-up wins in European conditions 

Factors Favoring Namibia

✅ Head-to-head superiority: 5-2 record against Nepal
✅ Captaincy record: Erasmus has never lost as captain against Nepal
✅ Pitch suitability: Swing-friendly conditions favor Namibia’s pacers
✅ Form players: Van Lingen, Frylinck, and Loftie-Eaton in good touch 

Our Verdict

Prediction: Nepal to win – This is a closely contested match on paper. While Namibia holds the historical advantage and the pitch may favor their pacers, Nepal’s current momentum is hard to ignore. The team has won six of its last eight matches and arrives with a confident unit .

Nepal’s win probability is estimated at 62% versus Namibia’s 38%, based on recent form and head-to-head trends . If Nepal’s top order survives the early swing and their spinners control the middle overs, they should emerge victorious in what promises to be a low-scoring, competitive encounter.

Nepal Probable Playing XI

Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Ishan Pandey, Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi/Nandan Yadav .

Final Thoughts

This match marks the beginning of a crucial European leg for both Nepal and Namibia in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two. With direct World Cup Qualifier spots on the line, every point matters. Nepal’s recent form and balanced squad give them a slight edge, but Namibia’s historical superiority and the unfamiliar conditions make this a fascinating contest.