Zimbabwe vs Nepal Prediction: Host nation to show superiority

This ICC World Cup Qualification third-round match between Zimbabwe and Nepal will take place at the Harare Sports Club. These two countries will be competing against one another for the fourth time in their histories. Will Nepal be able to put an end to Zimbabwe's dominance as the host nation has won each of their meetings?

Zimbabwe's presence was sorely missed during a home qualifier for the 2020 T20 World Cup when they were suspended by the ICC for issues related to bad administration. This time, however, they will be able to play in front of their own fans when they open the 2023 ODI World Cup Qualifier (WCQ) against Nepal at the Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwean cricket has had a big comeback since they got out of the "naughty corner" in 2020. Since then, they have won their first ODI against Australia, their first and second T20Is against Pakistan, hosted India for a three-game ODI series, produced their first ever IPL player, and almost swept a successful qualifier for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Bulawayo, which helped them get past the first group stage. They are one of the four favorites to win one of the two leftover spots in the ODI World Cup in India this year, but they will have to beat either Sri Lanka or the West Indies to do so.

Even though the formula has changed, Zimbabwe's 15-person team is very similar to the one that won three out of eight games at the T20 World Cup last year. Regis Chakaba was taken out of the team and replaced by Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, and Joylord Gumbie. All-rounders Milton Shumba and Tony Munyonga also will not make the team.

When Desai got the job in February 2023, Nepal needed to win at least 11 of the 12 final Super League 2 matches against other associates to get a spot at this qualifier. They did that despite the scandal and drama that surrounded their best bowler, Sandeep Lamichhane. When they beat Papa New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates twice in eight days to book their flight to Zimbabwe, pictures of packed hills and fans climbing trees outside the sold-out Tribhuvan University ground in Kathmandu went viral in March. They also qualified for the Asia Cup for the first time by winning the first ACC Premier Cup, which they did easily. If the event goes as planned, they will play India and Pakistan later this year. This will be their first ODI against a full member country, and it will only be their second trip to Africa for ODIs.

Even though Nepal lost to UAE in their first game, they beat Oman in their second game, showing that they are not playing that badly. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has played well in both of their games, so I expect them to keep it up. But, even though this game is likely to be tough, I think Zimbabwe will score at least four runs.