The Nepal vs Ireland head-to-head in ODI cricket is a relatively new rivalry, but their only official ODI meeting produced a thrilling contest. Nepal and Ireland faced each other in the 7th-place play-off of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023 at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare.
Ireland emerged victorious by two wickets, successfully chasing Nepal’s competitive total of 268. The match was closely fought, with Nepal putting Ireland under significant pressure during the chase before Curtis Campher and Harry Tector helped the Irish side reach the target.
As of September 2026, Nepal and Ireland have played one official ODI, with Ireland holding a 1-0 lead in the head-to-head record.
Nepal vs Ireland ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Head-to-Head | Nepal | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| ODI Matches | 1 | 1 |
| Wins | 0 | 1 |
| Losses | 1 | 0 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| No Results | 0 | 0 |
| Win Percentage | 0% | 100% |
The two teams have therefore met only once in official ODI cricket. Ireland’s victory came in the 2023 World Cup Qualifier play-off. Nepal vs Ireland Head-to-Head in ODI
Only ODI Match Between Nepal and Ireland
The first official ODI between Nepal and Ireland was played on 4 July 2023 at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe. The match was the 7th-place play-off of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023.
Ireland won the toss and chose to field. Nepal were asked to bat first and eventually posted 268/9 in 50 overs. Ireland then chased down the target, reaching 269/8 in 49.2 overs to win by two wickets.
Match result:
- Nepal: 268/9
- Ireland: 269/8
- Ireland won by: 2 wickets
- Venue: Takashinga Sports Club, Harare
- Date: 4 July 2023
- Player of the Match: Curtis Campher
Curtis Campher was instrumental in Ireland’s successful chase, scoring 62 runs from 59 balls. His innings provided stability when Ireland were under pressure.
Nepal’s Strong Batting Performance
Nepal’s batting performance was one of the major highlights of the match. After losing early wickets, the middle and lower order fought back strongly.
Aasif Sheikh contributed 48 runs, while Kushal Malla played an aggressive innings of 44 from just 38 balls. Malla’s strike rate of more than 115 gave Nepal momentum in the middle overs.
The most memorable contribution came from Gulsan Jha, who remained unbeaten on 57 from 42 balls. His aggressive batting in the closing overs helped Nepal reach 268/9.
Another important contribution came from Sandeep Lamichhane, who scored 32 from 30 deliveries. Lamichhane and Jha produced an important late partnership that pushed Nepal towards a competitive total.
Their partnership was particularly significant because they added 80 runs for the eighth wicket, setting a new Nepal ODI record for that wicket at the time.
Ireland’s Successful Run Chase
Ireland’s chase did not begin smoothly. Nepal’s bowlers created pressure by taking important wickets during the innings.
However, Ireland refused to surrender control of the match. Curtis Campher played a crucial role in rebuilding the innings, while Harry Tector also made an important contribution.
The Irish middle order kept the required run rate under control and eventually brought the team close to the target. Ireland reached 269/8 in 49.2 overs, winning with four balls remaining.
The victory was particularly important for Ireland because it secured seventh place in the 2023 World Cup Qualifier, while Nepal finished eighth.
Curtis Campher: Ireland’s Match-Winning Performer
Curtis Campher was named Player of the Match after his excellent all-round contribution. His 62-run innings was the key batting performance in Ireland’s successful chase.
Campher’s ability to handle pressure was especially important because Ireland lost wickets at regular intervals. Rather than attempting unnecessary attacking shots, he helped Ireland build partnerships and keep the chase alive.
His performance remains an important part of the Nepal-Ireland ODI head-to-head history because it directly contributed to Ireland taking a 1-0 lead.
Gulsan Jha’s Fighting Knock for Nepal
For Nepal, Gulsan Jha emerged as one of the standout performers. His unbeaten 57 off 42 balls gave Nepal the late acceleration they needed.
When Nepal were struggling in the lower-middle order, Jha attacked the Irish bowlers and found boundaries regularly. His innings helped transform Nepal’s total from a potentially modest score into a challenging 268.
Jha’s partnership with Lamichhane was also significant. Their 80-run eighth-wicket stand demonstrated Nepal’s fighting spirit and gave the team a realistic chance of winning the match.
Karan KC’s Bowling Effort
Nepal’s bowling attack also performed strongly during Ireland’s chase.
Karan KC was particularly impressive, finishing with 4/58 from 10 overs. He repeatedly gave Nepal opportunities to put Ireland under pressure.
Despite KC’s four wickets, Ireland’s batting depth eventually proved decisive. The Irish lower order completed the chase and prevented Nepal from recording their first ODI victory over Ireland.
Nepal’s ODI Development
Nepal’s cricket has developed rapidly over the last decade. The national team has progressed from being an emerging Associate side to becoming a competitive ODI team capable of challenging stronger opponents.
Nepal gained ODI status and subsequently established itself in international 50-over cricket. The team’s progress has been supported by players such as Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh and Gulsan Jha.
The ICC has highlighted Nepal’s progress and growing importance within Associate cricket.
In 2026, Sandeep Lamichhane was appointed Nepal’s ODI captain. The ICC noted that he had taken 154 wickets in 77 ODIs at that point and had previously captained Nepal in 14 ODIs.
Ireland’s ODI Experience
Ireland have considerably more experience in international ODI cricket. The team has regularly competed in World Cup qualifiers and major international tournaments.
Ireland’s experience was evident in the 2023 meeting with Nepal. Even after losing wickets during the chase, the Irish batting unit remained composed and eventually reached the target.
Ireland also remain an important force among Associate and developing cricket nations. In the ICC’s 2026 annual ODI rankings update, Ireland moved up to 11th, while Nepal were ranked 17th.
Nepal vs Ireland: Who Has the Better ODI Record?
At present, Ireland clearly have the better ODI record.
Ireland have won the only official ODI between the teams, giving them a 100% winning record against Nepal. Nepal’s win percentage is currently 0% because they have not yet defeated Ireland in ODI cricket.
However, the statistics need context. With only one match played, the head-to-head record is too small to establish a long-term dominance.
A future ODI series between the teams could quickly change the overall numbers.
Key Players to Watch
Nepal
Sandeep Lamichhane is one of Nepal’s most experienced ODI players and an important bowling option. His leg-spin can create problems for opposition batsmen.
Dipendra Singh Airee is another key player who can influence matches with both bat and ball. ICC lists him as an all-rounder and notes his ODI debut in 2018.
Gulsan Jha has already shown his ability to perform under pressure, particularly with his unbeaten 57 against Ireland in 2023.
Ireland
Curtis Campher has already left his mark on this rivalry after winning Player of the Match in the only ODI.
Harry Tector is another important part of Ireland’s batting lineup and played a valuable role in the 2023 chase.
Paul Stirling remains one of Ireland’s most experienced limited-overs players and has continued to feature prominently in the team’s ODI plans.
Future of the Nepal vs Ireland ODI Rivalry
The Nepal-Ireland ODI rivalry has plenty of room to grow. Their first meeting was competitive enough to demonstrate that Nepal can challenge Ireland over 50 overs.
Nepal’s continued development could make future encounters even more closely contested. Ireland, meanwhile, have the advantage of greater international experience and a deeper history in ODI cricket.
If the two teams meet regularly in World Cup qualifying tournaments, bilateral series or other ICC events, their head-to-head statistics could become much more meaningful.
For now, Ireland hold the advantage with a 1-0 ODI lead.
Conclusion
The Nepal vs Ireland head-to-head in ODI cricket currently consists of just one official match. That encounter took place at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, where Ireland defeated Nepal by two wickets.
Nepal scored 268/9, powered by Gulsan Jha’s unbeaten 57 and important contributions from Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Malla and Sandeep Lamichhane. Ireland responded with 269/8, with Curtis Campher’s 62 proving crucial.
Ireland therefore lead the ODI head-to-head 1-0. Nepal will be hoping that their continued development can help them level the rivalry when the teams next meet.
5 FAQs: Nepal vs Ireland Head-to-Head in ODI
1. How many ODIs have Nepal and Ireland played?
Nepal and Ireland have played one official ODI against each other.
2. Who has won the most ODIs between Nepal and Ireland?
Ireland lead the head-to-head record with one victory. Nepal have yet to win an ODI against Ireland.
3. When did Nepal and Ireland play their only ODI?
Their only official ODI was played on 4 July 2023 at Takashinga Sports Club in Harare during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.
4. Who won Nepal vs Ireland in their only ODI?
Ireland won by two wickets, chasing Nepal’s 268/9 with a score of 269/8 in 49.2 overs.
5. Who was Player of the Match in Nepal vs Ireland ODI?
Ireland’s Curtis Campher was named Player of the Match after scoring 62 runs from 59 balls.