High on Confidence after their resonant win over Italy and Bermuda and promotion to World Cup Qualifiers, Nepal will be eyeing revenge when they play Uganda in the final of Division 3 Cricket to be played today at National Stadium, Hamilton Bermuda. Uganda and Nepal both have been promoted to the World Cup Qualifiers.
Uganda after 5 matches was placed at top of the points table with 4 wins and had been promoted to the Qualifier before their final game (against Oman which they lost), while Nepal barely made it to qualifiers only because Bermuda pulled off an upset to beat USA.
However it will be Nepal that will be brimming with Confidence especially after they crushed Italy in their final game.
Uganda defeated un-acclimatized (to Bermuda condition and ground) Nepali Team by 6 wickets chasing 117 runs target in 27 overs.Losing 2 matches in a row the prospect for Nepal in Division 4 seemed dim. However since that match Nepali team has come long way in the tournament winning 3 of the remaining matches in a emphatic manner and making it to the finals of Division 3.
Nepal’s is shining with both bat and ball in the last three matches of the tournament. Nepal’s batting is in cracking form especially while chasing.
Skipper Paras Khadka has been in spectacular form with both Bat and ball. He is the second leading run scorer in the tournament with 175 runs and has 5 wickets to his name as well. Gyanendra Malla has two 30+ scores in the tournament one(against Oman-34) won him a Player of the match. The opening pair which was considered strong hold before the tournament finally clicked adding 87 runs in 12 0vers.
Nepal’s spin bowling has won 2 matches for Nepal. Spin trio Basanta(10 Wickets), Sanjam (3 wickets) and Shakti Gauchan(5 wickets) all have bowled exceptionally well in the last three matches. Rahul Viswakarma made come back in the National side yesterday picking up “Player of the match” for his tight spell that produced 3 wickets. It this sturdy spin line up that accountable for abysmal show by opponents’ – Bermuda(106 all out) , Oman (132 all out- 2nd innings chasing 161) and Italy (127/9 in 50 overs).
Its Nepal’s fast bowling that’s ailing Nepal- the last match saw Nepal play with no front line seamer. With the pace bowlers unable to impress for last 2 tournaments now Nepal will likely go with same at attack.
Uganda comes into this match being defeated by Oman in its final game. Uganda has however performed with consistency throughout the tournament especially with the ball. They defended totals of 114 against Italy (91 all out) and 175 against USA(93 all out).
Captain D Arinaitwe leads the wickets tally for Bermuda with 9 wickets in 5 matches. His right arm off breaks got three wickets for Uganda against Nepal. His four wickets against Italy was detrimental for Uganda’s win. He received player of the match in both matches. Nepal’s performance today will highly depend on how Nepalese batsmen play Arinaitwe.
Sesenyonda follows his captain in the wicket tally for Uganga. He has 7 wickets to his name in the tournament.
Nearly all the batsmen have performed in bits and pieces set up Uganda’s win. Musaka had scored 49 against Nepal to guide his team to victory however he has failed to impress in 3 matches with scores of 10, 0 and 4. Lawrence Sematimba has two 40+ scores behind his back, first against Bermuda and the other against USA. AS Kyobe and Nsubuga are the only batsmen for Uganda to score half centuries(53 and 51 respectively) both scoring that against Bermuda.
Nepal was promoted to both Division 4 and 3 as Champions of Division 5 and 4 respectively.
