Kathmandu – Nepal could make most of the opportunity when they face Kenya in fifth and final round match of ICC WCL DIV 2, 2015 at the Wanderers Affies Ground, Windhoek, Namibia. The match starts at 1:15 NST.
The equation for Nepal tomorrow is simple: win and secure a spot in the ICC International Cup. Meanwhile, Kenya will be looking to salvage relegation chances with a win over Nepal.
Nepal’s performance in the tournament has been instrumental. After a disappointing loss at the hand of Uganda, Nepal bounced back magnificiently to maintain clean sheet thereafter. Their bowlers, in particular has been brialliant. Seamers Karan KC and Sompal has shared 16 wickets between the, opening the bowling for the team which is the best in the torunament for a opening pair. Paras, and other spinners has supported them well to rattle opponents for a paltry score.
However, batting has let Nepal down. Apart from Skipper Paras Khadka ( 167 runs from 4 matches), and Gyanendra Malla ( 97 runs from 4 matches), others has shown a dismal performance. Batting was the sole reason why Nepal lost the first match against Uganda. If Nepal wants to finish the competition on a positive note, their batsman should stand up and deliver against Kenya today.
Kenya, meanwhile, had only few positives to take from their tournament. Their only win came against sixth placed Uganda. Former Captain Collins Obuya has been the stand out performer among the batsman with 135 runs in the series while openers Irfan Karim, 120 runs is second. In an important match against Netherlands in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, New Zealand s scored a hundred with the help of which Kenya reached the super six. Nepal should feat him and other players as well as Kenya has nothing to loose and they will definitely look to upset Nepal.
Kenya’s coach Steve Tikolo was confident of achieving promotion at the start of the tournament. But, Kenya were never among contenders in the tournament. They neither had a strong batting line up nor a convincing bowling unit. There only win in the competition came against sixth placed Uganda.The team that once made it to the semi-finals of ICC World Cup is now struggling not to get relegated. Kenya had defeated Sir Lanka in the quarter-finals to make it to the semi-finals.
Nepal is second in the points table with three wins and a loss while Kenya is fifth with one win and three losses. Well that tells you the story.Frankly, looking at Nepal’s performance in the last three matches, Kenya shouldn’t be a difficult opponent for Nepal.
Head to Head
In One Dayers
Nepal 0 Kenya 1
ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Warm-up Match
Kenya v Nepal at Christchurch, Jan 11, 2014
Nepal 265/8 (50/50 ov);
Kenya 269/9 (49.5/50 ov)
Kenya won by 1 wicket (with 1 ball remaining)
In T20s
Nepal 2 Kenya 0
T20 Qualifier 2013
Kenya v Nepal at Dubai, Nov 16, 2013
Kenya 182/7 (20/20 ov);
Nepal 186/4 (19.4/20 ov)
Nepal won by 6 wickets (with 2 balls remaining )
T20 Qualifier 2012
Semi-Final: Kenya v Nepal at Dubai Mar 22, 2012
Kenya 139/4 (20/20 ov);
Nepal 141/5 (19.4/20 ov)
Nepal won by 5 wickets (with 2 balls remaining )
Stats
• This is the first time that Nepal seamers has taken more than half go the wickets in a ICC WCL tournament. Sompal 8 wickets, Karan 8 wickets and Paras 6 wickets makes 22 wickets which is more than half of wicket Nepal has taken in this tournament.
Earlier, in ICC WCL DIV 5, 2008, Mehaboob Alam 19, Binod Das 9, and Paras Khadka had taken 34 wickets but that was less than half wickets Nepal had taken in that tournament
