Kathmandu/Cricnepal: Nepal’s Shakti Gauchan came with an incredible figures as Nepal recorded a third straight win in the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 match against the host Malaysia today at Selangor Turf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A brilliant performance by spinner saw the 28-year-old take impressive match figures of 10-8-2-3. Gauchan’s performance in the innings earned him the man of the match award after his imposing spell to claim three wickets for just two runs in a tight series of overs that saw him stifle Malaysia’s run-making abilities.
Nepal, after losing the toss, were invited to field and a decent show from Nepali bowlers restricted Malaysia to a meagre 69 runs.
Amrit Bhattarai provided the first breakthrough for Nepal as he sent Rakesh Madhavan for leg before wicket in the 5th over. In the very next ball, Suhan Alagaratnam was trapped lbw.
The fourth wicket partnership of 36 runs holded some innings for Malaysia, but this couldn’t continue as Ahmed Faiz(13) was bowled by Basanta Regmi. Opener Ullah Khan was earlier trapped lbw by Binod Das for 12 runs. Malaysia’s top scorer Shafiq Sharif scored 22 runs off 26 deliveries with four boundaries before being caught by Paras Khadka in Regmi’s bowl.
Bhattarai had two wickets, Binod Das had a wicket in their account. While, the performers, Shakti Gauchan and Basanta Regmi grabbed three wickets each. Sanjam Regmi also picked a wicket.
Basanta Regmi stands at the top of the highest wicket takers list, for 9 wickets from 3 matches.
In reply, Nepali openers chased the target easily in 12.2 overs. Subash Khakurel hit four fours and scored 24 runs. He played 34 deliveries while Anil Mandal scored 41 runs off 40 balls with six boundaries during the chase.
Post-match Gauchan said: “I didn’t think much about my performance before the game, but my objective was to bowl in the right area which I did during the game and it turned out to be my best bowling performance.”
Captain Khadka added: “It was another great bowling display from the team, especially from Gauchan and the other opening pairs. Although we had a small target to chase, I am happy with the batting performance of the openers as the batter and won the match for us convincingly. We still can’t relax after this win and will work hard to win the rest of our matches.”
With the win, Nepal is in the top of the points table. Nepal will play USA on Friday at Kinrara Academy Oval.
@cricnepal Others with better figures in List A games: 8-8-0-0 BA Langford (Somerset 1969) and 12-9-3-1 J Simmons (Lancashire 1985)
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 6, 2012
