Nepal Crush Jersey by 81 Runs in 1st ODI of 2026 Tour

Nepal opened their 2026 tour of Jersey with a commanding 81-run victory in the first ODI on July 13, batting first and posting 250/8 from their 50 overs before dismissing the hosts for 169.

A professional performance

Batting first after the toss, Nepal built their innings patiently, absorbing early pressure from Jersey’s new-ball bowlers before accelerating through the middle overs. A total of 250 looked competitive on a surface offering some assistance to the seamers — and Nepal’s bowling attack made it look far bigger.

Jersey’s chase never truly got going. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and once the required rate climbed above seven an over, Nepal’s spinners squeezed the game shut. The hosts were bowled out for 169, handing Nepal a 1-0 lead in the series.

Why this matters

This tour is far more than a friendly stopover. Nepal fly from Jersey to the Netherlands for a critical block of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures in Utrecht — two matches against Namibia (July 21 and 27) and two against the Netherlands (July 23 and 29).

Every point in League 2 counts toward World Cup qualification, and a confident, match-hardened Nepal side arriving in Utrecht is exactly what coach and captain will have wanted from this trip.

Nepal currently sit 17th in the ICC ODI rankings and 15th in T20Is — the highest standing of any Asian Associate nation, and evidence of the steady rise that took them to the 2026 T20 World Cup, where they beat Scotland in the group stage.

What’s next

• July 21 — Nepal vs Namibia, Utrecht (WCL2)
• July 23 — Nepal vs Netherlands, Utrecht (WCL2)
• July 27 — Nepal vs Namibia, Utrecht (WCL2)
• July 29 — Nepal vs Netherlands, Utrecht (WCL2)

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