Kathmandu – Nepal lost a close encounter against Namibia by four runs in its 1st Warm up match of the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2014 played at Burnwood Park Ground in New Zealand today.
Namibia,batting first, posted 231 runs in the board losing nine wickets in 50 overs with Sompal Kami taking four wickets for Nepal. In reply, Binod Bhandari and Basanta Regmi fought hard with some fine hitting but couldn’t make it for Nepal as they lost the match by four runs at the end.
Chasing a comfortable target, Nepal faced many ups and downs but Namibia held their nerve tight at the end to win the game. Nepali openers couldn’t provide a good start as Mahesh Chettri was the first to get out with just seven runs in board and a personal score of one run to his name.
Anil Mandal and Sagar Pun added 35 runs for the second wicket with the later playing an aggressive cricket. He scored 21 runs before getting out with five hits to the fence. Anil soon followed him seven runs later leaving Nepal 49/3 after 13 overs. Gyanendra Malla didn’t played a captain’s innings as he was trapped lbw by C Vijeon for 15 runs.
Next man, Prithu Baskota joined Sharad in the crease and the duo added 28 runs in almost 11 overs. At a time when run rate was needed to be increased Sharad got out for 20 runs shattering the hope of Nepal to chase the target. Nepal were soon in deep trouble losing seven wickets for just 118 runs in the 37th over.
Ups and downs continued as in form Basanta Regmi and Binod threatened to take the game away from Namibia’s hand with a crucial partnership of 71 runs off 51 balls. It was all over for Nepal after L Klazinga took both the wickets. Regmi scored 39 runs in 26 balls including three sixes in an over off BM Scholtz. Bhandari was later out for 65 runs off 60 deliveries.
11 runs were needed of the final over for Nepal to win the game with a wicket in hand but C Vijleon conceded only six runs to hand Namibia the game. Apart from Klazinga, JJ Smit and C Vijleon grabbed three and two wickets respectively.
Earlier, a four wicket haul from Sompal Kami and two from Basanta Regmi restricted Namibia to 231 runs in 50 overs. NRP Scholtz top scored for Namibia with 79 runs whereas opener SJ Baard contributed 73 runs. C Vijleon who shone with the ball with two wickets added 37 runs to help Namibia post a good total.
Nepal will take on Kenya in the 2nd Warm Match tomorrow.
