Kathmandu – Nepal recorded a hard fought two wickets win over Moors Sports Club in the second practice match in Sri Lanka today.
Moors decision to bat on first proved worst as a fine bowling performance by Nepali bowlers restricted to 147 runs in the 37th over. Nepal then chased the target with some hi-cups in the 33rd over losing eight wickets.
This time again,left arm medium pacer Avinash provided the breakthrough in the first over. He then trapped Shehan Jayasurya lbw in the fourth over for 3 runs. Another pacer Jiyendra then joined the party taking two wickets in the last ball of the 7th and 10th over respectively to leave Moors 38/4 by the end of 10th over.
Captain Khadka then added more pressure on the opponent with a wicket of Moors captain Harsha Coorey for 14 runs. Dilhara Lokuhettige,the only batsman who looked good scored 55 runs of as many balls before part-time bowler Anil had caught out him by Avinash. Shakti and Anil took two wickets each as the last four batsman could add only 17 runs to the board.
Chasing a low target,Nepal got a worst start as they lost opener Anil for 6 runs in the 4th over. Mahesh was soon to depart with just 30 runs on the board for 7 runs. Paras then played some lovely shots before he was bowled by Shehan for 28 runs of 32 balls. Gyanendra was quick to follow him four runs later to leave Nepal 59-4.
Binod Bhandari who scored the 2nd fifty of the match played an entertaining knock of 52 runs of just 29 balls with seven fours and three sixes. He sacrificed his wicket trying to play some big shots to Malinda and the same bowler got rid of Pradeep Airee for a duck three balls later. Nepal then lost Sharad and Basanta in quick succession but Prithu and Shakti held their nerve at end yo ensure Nepal’s 2nd victory in as many matches.
Malinda took four wickets whereas Shehan and Kaushalya took two wickets each for the home team.
