Nepal escaped a narrow 2 wickets victory in a tensed match against Hongkong at Tribhuvan University Ground today.
With one run required off the last ball of the inning, Rahul VK stole a winning run for the home team.
Earlier, Hongkong set a target of 115 in their 20 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat first.
During the chase, Nepali Openers failed to give a good start. Both Subash Khakurel and Anil Mandal were dismissed for 1 run each. Then, Gyanendra Malla came at the crease and held the inning with 19 runs from 25 balls with 3 fours. Once he was run out, Paras Khadka and Prithu Baskota together solidated the chase. Prithu Baskota was caught at the deep cover boundary. Babar was spot on at the boundary region.
Paras & Pradeep Airee both were bowled off Irfan Ahmed’s bowling, while trying to accelerate the inning with a Dilscoop shot.
26 runs were needed off last 2 overs for Nepal and wicket were tumbling and Basanta Regmi was only hope for Nepal to win from such situation.
8 runs were needed off the last over and then Basanta scored a boundary that made the match really interesting. It was the last ball off the match that was decisive for both the team, 1 run was needed and Rahul was at the strike. A Nervous moment for both the batsman and bowler. Rahul then got that important single out of nowhere and Nepal won the match by 2 wickets.
Paras khadka was declared as Man of the Match for his allround performance of 44 with 4 fours and 1 six and 2 wickets.
A huge support was there for the home team today. Almost 6,000 audience were cheering and applauding their national heroes at the TU Ground.
Nepal will be playing UAE tomorrow at the same venue.
