Table of Contents
The Nepal National Cricket Team vs Oman National Cricket Team Timeline covers the key moments, memorable encounters, and important developments between two competitive Associate cricket nations. Nepal and Oman have built an interesting rivalry across international tournaments, World Cup qualification campaigns, and limited-overs cricket. Their meetings have produced closely fought contests, notable individual performances, and important results that have influenced qualification hopes. This timeline brings together the major stages of their cricketing relationship, from early encounters to more recent matches, while highlighting the significance of important games and the performances that shaped this matchup.
Rivalry Overview
| Category | Nepal | Oman |
|---|---|---|
| Rivalry status | Major Associate rivalry | Major Associate rivalry |
| Main formats | ODI, T20I | ODI, T20I |
| Major competition | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 |
| T20I rivalry | Strong record | Competitive record |
| ODI rivalry | Competitive | Strong record |
| Recent momentum | Strong in T20 cricket | Strong in ODI cricket |
| Key venues | Kirtipur, Al Amerat, King City | Al Amerat, Kirtipur, King City |
The Nepal–Oman rivalry has developed into one of the most competitive matchups in associate cricket. The two teams first met in a T20 international in October 2019, before their rivalry expanded into ODI cricket through the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 pathway. Since then, Nepal and Oman have repeatedly met in qualification tournaments, bilateral contests and major regional competitions.
What makes this rivalry compelling is how often the balance has shifted. Oman established early control, particularly in ODI cricket, while Nepal produced a strong comeback in T20Is. Their matches have also carried far more than simple bilateral importance: World Cup qualification, tournament progression and regional bragging rights have frequently been at stake.
By 2026, the rivalry had produced several dramatic finishes, including a tied T20I in 2023 decided by a Super Over and contrasting ODI victories in Kirtipur in April and May 2026. The latest chapter came in June 2026, when Nepal defeated Oman by eight wickets in the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier semifinal.
First Official Match
The first official T20I meeting between the sides came on October 10, 2019, at Al Amerat in Oman. Oman won the match by six wickets.
| Date | Format | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 10, 2019 | T20I | Al Amerat | Oman won by 6 wickets |
The first official T20I between Nepal and Oman was played on October 10, 2019, at Al Amerat in Oman. It immediately gave Oman an advantage in the rivalry, with the home side winning by six wickets. That result became the starting point for what would eventually become a recurring associate-cricket contest.
Oman then carried that momentum into the first ODI meetings. On February 5, 2020, Oman defeated Nepal by 18 runs at Kirtipur. Four days later, Oman returned to the same venue and won again, this time by eight wickets. Aqib Ilyas played a major role in the second ODI, scoring a century as Oman chased down Nepal’s total.
Those early results established an important pattern: Oman looked extremely comfortable against Nepal in the longer limited-overs format, while Nepal needed time to find an answer.
Timeline of Major Matches
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2019 | T20I | Al Amerat | Oman | Won by 6 wickets |
| Feb 5, 2020 | ODI | Kirtipur | Oman | Won by 18 runs |
| Feb 9, 2020 | ODI | Kirtipur | Oman | Won by 8 wickets |
| Sep 19, 2021 | ODI | Al Amerat | Nepal | Won by 7 wickets |
| Feb 11, 2022 | T20I | Al Amerat | Nepal | Won by 6 wickets |
| Feb 18, 2022 | T20I | Al Amerat | Nepal | Won by 39 runs |
| Feb 24, 2022 | T20I | Al Amerat | Nepal | Won by 9 wickets |
| Jun 9, 2022 | ODI | Pearland | Oman | Won by 13 runs |
| Jun 14, 2022 | ODI | Pearland | Nepal | Won by 7 wickets |
| Apr 21, 2023 | ODI | Kirtipur | Nepal | Won by 84 runs |
| Nov 2, 2023 | T20I | Kirtipur | Oman | Won by 5 runs |
| Nov 5, 2023 | T20I | Kirtipur | Tie | 184-184 |
| Sep 18, 2024 | ODI | King City | Oman | Won by 1 wicket |
| Sep 24, 2024 | ODI | King City | No result | Abandoned |
| Sep 29, 2024 | T20I | King City | Nepal | Won by 37 runs |
| Oct 2, 2024 | T20I | King City | Nepal | Won by 56 runs |
| Oct 15, 2025 | T20I | Al Amerat | Nepal | Won by 38 runs |
| Apr 29, 2026 | ODI | Kirtipur | Oman | Won by 102 runs |
| May 5, 2026 | ODI | Kirtipur | Nepal | Won by 81 runs |
| Jun 7, 2026 | T20I | Singapore | Nepal | Won by 8 wickets |
The results show how closely connected the rivalry has been to ICC competition. The 2022 and 2024 ODI encounters were part of the World Cup League 2 pathway, while several T20I meetings came during World Cup qualification campaigns.
Historic Test Matches
Nepal and Oman have not played a men’s Test match against each other. Both nations have primarily competed against one another in limited-overs cricket.
| Test Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Test matches | 0 |
| Test series | 0 |
| Test wins for Nepal | 0 |
| Test wins for Oman | 0 |
There have been no Test matches between Nepal and Oman.
Neither Nepal nor Oman has Test status, so their rivalry has developed entirely through limited-overs cricket. This is important because the intensity of the matchup has not depended on Test cricket or traditional full-member rivalries.
Instead, the two teams have built their history through ODIs and T20Is, particularly matches connected with ICC qualification.
The absence of Test cricket does not make the rivalry less significant. In associate cricket, a single ODI or T20I can have enormous consequences because points can influence qualification pathways and tournament opportunities.
Historic ODI Matches
The ODI rivalry has been closely connected with ICC World Cup League 2 cricket.
| Date | Winner | Margin | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 5, 2020 | Oman | 18 runs | Early ODI rivalry |
| Feb 9, 2020 | Oman | 8 wickets | Oman completed series sweep |
| Sep 19, 2021 | Nepal | 7 wickets | Nepal’s ODI response |
| Jun 9, 2022 | Oman | 13 runs | Close League 2 contest |
| Jun 14, 2022 | Nepal | 7 wickets | Nepal responded strongly |
| Apr 21, 2023 | Nepal | 84 runs | One of Nepal’s largest ODI wins |
| Sep 18, 2024 | Oman | 1 wicket | Dramatic final-over finish |
| Sep 24, 2024 | No result | Abandoned | Match affected by conditions |
| Apr 29, 2026 | Oman | 102 runs DLS | Major Oman victory |
| May 5, 2026 | Nepal | 81 runs | Nepal bounced back |
The ODI rivalry began in February 2020 at Kirtipur, with Oman winning both matches.
The first major shift came in September 2021, when Nepal defeated Oman by seven wickets at Al Amerat. Nepal followed that breakthrough with a split in the two ODI meetings at Pearland in June 2022.
One of the most emphatic Nepalese victories arrived on April 21, 2023. Nepal defeated Oman by 84 runs at Kirtipur, a result that demonstrated how much the balance had changed since the first two ODIs.
Oman responded strongly in the 2024 World Cup League 2 cycle. At King City, Oman edged Nepal by one wicket on September 18, 2024. The second scheduled meeting between the sides at the same venue was abandoned.
The most extraordinary ODI sequence came in 2026.
On April 29, Oman produced 305/8 at Kirtipur and defeated Nepal by 102 runs under the DLS method. Just six days later, Nepal answered with 256 before bowling Oman out for 175, winning by 81 runs. The back-to-back results demonstrated just how quickly momentum can change between these teams.
Historic T20I Matches
T20 cricket has often favored Nepal more heavily.
After losing the first T20I in 2019, Nepal went on a significant winning run against Oman. In February 2022, Nepal defeated Oman three consecutive times in Al Amerat.
The first victory came by six wickets, with Dipendra Singh Airee producing an outstanding 73 from 53 balls during Nepal’s successful chase of 136. Nepal then won the second meeting by 39 runs before completing a nine-wicket victory in the third match.
The rivalry reached another level in November 2023.
Oman won the first T20I in Kirtipur by five runs. The second match produced one of the most memorable games in the entire rivalry. Nepal made 184/6 and Oman also finished on 184/9. The match was tied and went to a Super Over, where Oman eventually prevailed.
That match remains a defining example of how narrow the margins have become between the sides.
The June 2026 Asian Games qualifier added another chapter. Nepal bowled Oman out for 94 before reaching 95/2 in only 9.2 overs. Lokesh Bam smashed 44 from 26 balls, while Nepal’s bowlers had already destroyed Oman’s batting structure.
ICC Tournament Meetings
| Year | Competition | Format | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | Oman won both |
| 2021 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | Nepal won |
| 2022 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | 1-1 |
| 2023 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | Nepal won |
| 2024 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | Oman won one, one abandoned |
| 2025 | ICC T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier | T20I | Nepal won |
| 2026 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | 1-1 |
ICC competitions have been at the heart of this rivalry.
The teams have met through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 system, where ODI points directly contribute to the qualification pathway for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. In 2026, Nepal hosted Oman in a League 2 series at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur.
T20I meetings have also frequently carried qualification consequences. The 2022 T20 World Cup qualifying campaign included a three-match sequence between Nepal and Oman, while their 2023 meeting in Kirtipur came during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Regional Final.
The 2025 qualification cycle again placed the two sides in the same competitive environment as they chased a place at the 2026 T20 World Cup. Both eventually qualified for the tournament.
In June 2026, Nepal and Oman met again in the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier. Nepal won the semifinal by eight wickets and advanced to the final.
Memorable Rivalry Moments
One of the earliest memorable moments was Oman’s eight-wicket ODI victory at Kirtipur in February 2020. Nepal had home support but Oman produced a controlled chase, demonstrating its strength in 50-over cricket.
Nepal’s three-match T20I sweep in February 2022 was another turning point. Winning three consecutive games in Oman showed that Nepal could compete with the hosts on their own conditions.
The 2023 tied T20I remains arguably the most dramatic match in the rivalry. Both teams reached 184, forcing a Super Over. Oman ultimately won the shootout, turning an already remarkable match into a classic.
The 2024 ODI in King City provided another thriller. Oman won by only one wicket, highlighting the fine margins that have repeatedly separated the teams.
Then came the 2026 Kirtipur double-header. Oman won the first ODI by 102 runs, only for Nepal to respond six days later with an 81-run victory. Few moments better capture the unpredictable nature of this rivalry.
Greatest Individual Performances
| Player | Team | Area of Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Paudel | Nepal | Middle-order batting |
| Dipendra Singh Airee | Nepal | Batting and all-round impact |
| Sandeep Lamichhane | Nepal | Leg-spin bowling |
| Kushal Bhurtel | Nepal | Opening batting |
| Jatinder Singh | Oman | Opening batting |
| Aqib Ilyas | Oman | Batting and leadership |
| Zeeshan Maqsood | Oman | Batting and all-round contribution |
| Bilal Khan | Oman | Fast bowling |
Several players have repeatedly shaped the rivalry.
Aqib Ilyas produced one of Oman’s standout early performances when he scored a century during the eight-wicket ODI victory at Kirtipur in February 2020. His innings demonstrated Oman’s ability to control a chase under pressure.
For Nepal, Dipendra Singh Airee’s 73 from 53 balls in February 2022 was one of the most influential T20I innings. Nepal chased 136 with three balls remaining, and his aggressive batting changed the momentum of the contest.
Gulshan Jha also produced an important performance in the 2023 T20I rivalry. He scored 54 in the tied 184-run match, while Oman had a strong contribution from Kashyap Prajapati, who made 63.
The 2026 Asian Games qualifier brought another standout performance from Lokesh Bam. His unbeaten 44 from just 26 deliveries helped Nepal race from 20/2 to 95/2 in 9.2 overs.
Record-Breaking Matches
The rivalry has produced several statistical landmarks.
The 2023 T20I tied at 184–184 is perhaps the most famous. Both sides reached the same score after 20 overs, forcing a Super Over. Oman eventually won the decider.
The April 29, 2026 ODI produced another major record. Oman scored 305/8, which represented the highest ODI total recorded in this rivalry according to the available match record. Nepal was restricted to 155/7 from its DLS-revised 36.5 overs, giving Oman a 102-run victory.
The return fixture on May 5 was almost the complete opposite. Nepal scored 256 and dismissed Oman for 175, winning by 81 runs. Together, those two matches produced two of the biggest winning margins in the rivalry within a single week.
Another notable record came in June 2026 when Nepal chased 95 in only 9.2 overs after Oman was dismissed for 94. Lokesh Bam’s 44 from 26 balls set the platform for an exceptionally rapid victory.
Recent Encounters
| Date | Competition | Format | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2025 | ICC T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier | T20I | Nepal | 38 runs |
| Apr 29, 2026 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | Oman | 102 runs DLS |
| May 5, 2026 | ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 | ODI | Nepal | 81 runs |
| Jun 7, 2026 | Asian Games Qualifier | T20I | Nepal | 8 wickets |
The latest phase of the rivalry has been especially competitive.
In September 2024, Oman defeated Nepal by one wicket in King City during the World Cup League 2 campaign. Their next scheduled ODI at the same venue was abandoned.
The 2025 T20I meeting saw Nepal claim a 38-run victory, giving Nepal another important result in the qualification race.
The 2026 ODI series at Kirtipur produced two completely different stories. Oman dominated the April 29 contest by 102 runs, but Nepal responded on May 5 with an 81-run win.
The most recent meeting available in the record came on June 7, 2026, in the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier semifinal in Singapore. Oman was bowled out for 94 in 19.4 overs. Nepal then stormed to 95/2 in 9.2 overs, winning by eight wickets with 64 balls remaining.
That result gives the modern rivalry a clear theme: neither side can assume control for long. Oman has historically been dangerous in ODI cricket, while Nepal has developed a particularly strong T20I record. Their meetings continue to matter because qualification, tournament progression and national pride are often attached to the result.
Note: Neither side has played a Test match, so the historic record is limited to ODIs and T20Is. Also, match totals and head-to-head counts can vary by database depending on whether abandoned matches and competition classifications are included; the timeline above follows the documented international results and the latest 2026 meetings.
Final Thoughts
The Nepal National Cricket Team and Oman National Cricket Team have developed an increasingly important rivalry in international cricket. Their timeline reflects the broader growth of both nations and the rising standard of Associate cricket. From early meetings to high-pressure qualification contests, their matches have provided plenty of competitive moments and memorable performances. As both teams continue to target major international tournaments, future Nepal vs Oman encounters are likely to remain important fixtures. The rivalry also highlights how Associate cricket has become increasingly competitive, with Nepal and Oman regularly challenging established expectations on the international stage.
FAQs
1. When did Nepal and Oman start playing international cricket against each other?
Nepal and Oman have met multiple times in international Associate cricket as both teams became regular participants in ICC-sanctioned competitions and qualification events.
2. Why are Nepal vs Oman matches important?
Their matches can have significant consequences in tournament standings, qualification campaigns, and the development of both national teams.
3. Which formats have Nepal and Oman played against each other?
Nepal and Oman have faced each other primarily in limited-overs international cricket, including ODI and T20-related competitions.
4. What makes the Nepal vs Oman rivalry competitive?
Both teams have experienced international players, strong bowling resources, and growing cricketing programs, which makes their encounters closely contested.
5. Will Nepal and Oman play each other again?
Future meetings depend on tournament schedules, bilateral fixtures, and ICC or regional competitions. Given their regular participation in Associate cricket events, further encounters are likely.
