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Namibia face Nepal again at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht, a rematch of the tri-series opener that Namibia won by 8 wickets. Nepal are already 0-2 in this tri-series after also losing to Netherlands, and need a response here. In this preview you will find the match details, form, pitch report and two NAM vs NEP fantasy team options, one safe and one for grand leagues.
For Indian viewers, the match starts at 2.30 PM IST, an 11.00 AM start in Utrecht.
NAM vs NEP Match Details
Match: Namibia vs Nepal, 119th Match, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 2023-27
Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
Time: 2.30 PM IST | 11.00 AM local, Netherlands
Venue: Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Kampong Cricket Club, Utrecht
Streaming: FanCode
How This Tri-Series Has Gone So Far
Namibia beat Nepal by 8 wickets in the series opener, then lost their next match to Netherlands by 58 runs, bowled out for 193 while chasing 251. Nepal have lost both their matches so far, first to Namibia and then to Netherlands, and go into this rematch needing a positive result to get anything out of the series. Netherlands sit on top with two wins from two.
Namibia: Response Needed After Netherlands Defeat
Namibia’s batting struggled badly against Netherlands, bowled out well short of the target. JJ Smit continues as captain, and Jan Frylinck and Ruben Trumpelmann remain their most dangerous bowling options. A repeat of the batting form that saw them chase down Nepal’s total comfortably in the opener would go a long way to steadying their campaign.
Nepal: Already Under Pressure
Nepal have lost their opening two matches of this tri-series and cannot afford a third defeat if they want to stay in contention for a positive series outcome. Rohit Paudel’s side showed promising batting depth earlier in the League 2 campaign, but have not been able to replicate that form against either Namibia or Netherlands so far.
NAM vs NEP Head To Head
Namibia lead the head to head 6 wins to 4 across the last ten meetings between the two sides, including their win in the tri-series opener.
NAM vs NEP Points Table
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | NRR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 30 | 11 | 17 | -0.049 | 24 |
| Namibia | 30 | 11 | 17 | -0.454 | 24 |
NAM vs NEP Squads
Namibia: JJ Smit (c), Gerhard Erasmus, Michael Van Lingen, Shaun Fouche, Jan Frylinck, Ruben Trumpelmann, Nikolaas Davin, Tangeni Lungameni, Jack Brassell, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Zane Green (wk), Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Jean-Pierre Kotze, Malan Kruger, Lo-handre Louwrens, Junior Kariata, Dylan Leicher, Jan Coenraad Balt, Jan-Izak de Villiers, Peter-Daniel Blignaut, Willem Myburgh, Louren Steenkamp, Max Heingo, Alexander Busing Volschenk
Nepal: Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee (vc), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Aarif Sheikh, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Bhim Sharki, Arjun Kumal, Binod Bhandari
Utrecht Pitch Report: Bowling First Preferred
Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd has hosted 9 matches, with sides bowling first winning 67 percent of the time against 33 percent for teams batting first. The average first innings score of 202 suggests the total is usually reachable for a chasing side with a solid top order.
Venue stats:
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 9 |
| Won batting first | 33% |
| Won bowling first | 67% |
| Average 1st innings score | 202 |
| Average 2nd innings score | 181 |
| Highest total | 380/9 by Scotland vs Netherlands |
| Lowest total | 157 all out by Netherlands vs Ireland |
| Highest chased | 205/5 by Netherlands vs UAE |
| Lowest defended | 195 all out by Netherlands vs Ireland |
Recent matches at the venue:
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| 118th ODI, CWC League 2 2023-27: Namibia vs Netherlands | Netherlands won |
| 117th ODI, CWC League 2 2023-27: Netherlands vs Nepal | Netherlands won |
| 116th ODI, CWC League 2 2023-27: Nepal vs Namibia | Namibia won |
Pace has taken 69 percent of wickets at this ground across the last 10 matches against 31 percent for spin, a split that continues to favour both attacks’ seam options.
Utrecht Weather Report For NAM vs NEP
Cloudy conditions are expected, with humidity high at around 86 percent and temperature close to 18°C. Rain chance is significant at 86 percent, so there is a real possibility of an interrupted or reduced-overs match.
NAM vs NEP Probable Playing XIs
Namibia (probable): Michael Van Lingen, Nikolaas Davin, JJ Smit (c), Gerhard Erasmus, Jan-Izak de Villiers, Jan Frylinck, Zane Green (wk), Shaun Fouche, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo
Nepal (probable): Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Ishan Pandey, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi
Key Player Battles
Jan Frylinck vs Nepal’s top order: Frylinck’s new-ball skills troubled Nepal in the series opener, and another early breakthrough would put Nepal under pressure again from the start.
Sandeep Lamichhane vs Namibia’s middle order: Lamichhane remains Nepal’s biggest wicket-taking threat, and his performance here could be central to whether Nepal can finally get a result in this tri-series.
Gerhard Erasmus vs Nepal’s bowling attack: Erasmus has been a steady presence in Namibia’s batting order, and a big score from him would go a long way toward Namibia posting a competitive total after their struggles against Netherlands.
NAM vs NEP Fantasy Team (Small Leagues)
Wicketkeeper: Zane Green
Batters: Rohit Paudel (C), Gerhard Erasmus (VC), Kushal Bhurtel
All Rounders: JJ Smit, Dipendra Singh Airee
Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane, Jan Frylinck, Ruben Trumpelmann, Sompal Kami, Karan KC
Paudel is captain looking for a much-needed win for Nepal, and Erasmus takes the vice-captaincy as Namibia’s most experienced batter. Smit and Airee cover the all-round bases, and Lamichhane and Frylinck lead the bowling picks as the two most dangerous wicket-takers on either side.
NAM vs NEP Fantasy Team (Grand Leagues)
For grand leagues, this second NAM vs NEP fantasy team brings in Ishan Pandey and Nikolaas Davin as lower-owned alternatives to the headline names.
Wicketkeeper: Aasif Sheikh — differential
Batters: Kushal Bhurtel (C), Ishan Pandey (VC) — differentia, Gerhard Erasmus, Nikolaas Davin — differential
All Rounders: Shaun Fouche, Aarif Sheikh
Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane, Bernard Scholtz — differential, Lalit Rajbanshi, Michael Van Lingen — differential
Pandey and Davin both offer upside without the ownership Erasmus or Paudel are likely to draw. Bernard Scholtz and Michael Van Lingen are the wildcard picks, both capable of a breakout performance for a Namibia side looking to bounce back.
Also Read: JSY vs UAE Fantasy Team, 1st ODI: Preview, Probable XIs, Pitch Report And Prediction
NAM vs NEP Match Prediction
Namibia have the head to head edge and already have a win over this exact opponent this tri-series, but their batting collapse against Netherlands raises real questions about their form. Nepal are desperate for a positive result having lost both matches so far, and their bowling attack led by Lamichhane gives them a route back into this series. This looks like an open contest, with Nepal’s need for a result potentially sharpening their focus, though Namibia’s recent record against them gives them a narrow edge.
FAQs
Q. When is the NAM vs NEP match?
A. Monday, July 27, 2026, at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht, starting at 11.00 AM local time, which is 2.30 PM IST.
Q. Where can I watch NAM vs NEP live?
A. The match will stream live on FanCode.
Q. Who won when these two teams last met?
A. Namibia won the tri-series opener by 8 wickets.
Q. How have both teams fared so far in this tri-series?
A. Namibia have won 1 and lost 1. Nepal have lost both of their matches so far.
Q. Who is Namibia’s captain?
A. JJ Smit captains Namibia.
Q. Who is Nepal’s captain?
A. Rohit Paudel captains Nepal.