KATHMANDU: Nepal ‘Red’ defeated Nepal ‘Blue’ by five wickets in the second Twenty20 practice match played here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium today.
Electing to bat first, the Blue team — led by the former skipper of Nepali national team Binod Das — scored 103-8 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Red team — led by the current skipper Paras Khadka — overcame the total in 19.2 overs losing five wickets.
Basanta Regmi top scored for the Blue team with 40 off 44 balls that included three fours and a six, while Shakti Gauchan made a 28-ball 24 hitting three boundaries. Subash Khakurel chipped in unbeaten 14 runs off seven deliveries including a six. Avinash Karn (2-14), Rahul BK (2-16) and Prithu Baskota (2-23) shared six wickets between them while Krishna Karki and Pradeep Airee snared one apiece for Nepal Red.
In reply, Sharad Vesawkar scored 38 off 21 balls with two sixes and a four, while wicketkeeper batsman Mahesh Chhetri contributed 26-ball 22 with two hits to the fence. Gyanendra Malla and Pradeep contributed 10 runs each to guide the Red safely home with eight balls to spare. Binod claimed two wickets while Shakti and Basanta grabbed one each for Nepal ‘Blue’.
The third match of the practice series, which is organised as part of the Nepal’s preparation for the SAARC U-25 Twenty20 Championships scheduled for October 31 to November 7 in Maldives, will be played at the same venue on Wednesday. Paras-led team had also won the the first Twenty20 practice match against the side led by Binod-Das on Sunday.
