Kathmandu-
Nepal takes Uganda in the final of ICC WCL Division 3, 2014 tomorrow at the Kinrara Academy Oval, Kuala Lampur. These two teams had faced each other in the previous final of ICC WCL Division 3, 2013 in which Nepal had emerged victorious. The match between Nepal and Uganda starts at 8:00 AM NST.
It was a similar story back then in ICC WCL Division 3, 2013. Like this time, in 2013 too, Nepal had lost to Uganda in the group stage. And When Nepal met them in the final they defeated Uganda quite comprehensively. This time though, it is yet to see who will win the final tomorrow.
Nepal:
Last two performances of Nepal batsman suggest that Nepal’s problem with the batting has quite been solved. In both these matches, the top order batsman has scored runs. In the match against USA, Subash Khakurel batted beautifully along with Gyanendra Malla, and in today’s match against Malaysia, Naresh Budhayer played a good innings. However, we are yet to see a good opening partnership between Naresh and Subash. The highest partnership between these two in this tournament is only off 33 runs for the first wicket. Gyanendra Malla has been the star for Nepal in batting. He has 185 runs to his name with an average of 46.25 with one hundred. He will be looking to replicate his form against Uganda tomorrow as well.
Nepal has been pushed back by the news that Sompal Kami, who leads the pace department is out from tomorrow’s clash with an injury. He had taken 10 wickets in this tournament. Nepal are already without Shrarad Veswakar as well. The absence of these two players can somehow unbalance the Nepal team. Amrit Bhattarai will probably take the place of Sompal whereas Aarif Sheikh could take the place of Sharad.
As always, Basanta Regmi is the highest wicket taker for Nepal with 12 wickets. He and Shakti Gauchan,(9 wickets in this tournament) will be looking to trouble Uganda tomorrow with their left arm spin. Captain Paras Khadka’s form with the bat is another concern for Nepal. He is having a lean patch with the bat so far. We can expect a big comeback from the big player tomorrow.
Uganda
Uganda will be looking to take the revenge of previous final of ICC WCL Division 3 with a win this time. They have already defeated Nepal in the league match but a win in the final of a competition is always special.
Tactically, Uganda and Nepal are similar. Like Nepal, Uganda too rely on their spinners to win any game. They have a very good bowling unit lead by current captain Frank Nsubuga (10 wickets in this tournament) and former captain Davis Ariantawe (12 wickets in this tournament).
In the match against Nepal in the league, when Uganda were in deep youngster Mpho Mukobe(84) ad Brain Masaba(51) then stood tall and added 137 runs for the 6th wicket which will perhaps turn out to be the most important partership of the tourament. Mukobe’s who took 83 balls to reach to his fifty added added the next 34 runs in just 19 balls. His match winnig innigs cosisted 6 fours ad 6 sixes.Roger Galwanao Musaka, Wicket-keeper batsman who has scored 214 runs in this tournament could be another threat for Nepal.
Uganda are a very confident side. Their only loss in this tournament came against Malaysia due to a sudden batting collapse. They will do whatever to win tomorrow’s match and take a revenge against Nepal.
Uganda vs Nepal : ( Nepal 2, Uganda 2)
Nepal and Uganda has faced each other four times, all of which were part of ICC World Cricket League matches. Nepal lost to Uganda in the first match these two teams faced each other. It was in the second match of previous edition of ICC WCL Division 3. Nepal then played them in the final of that tournament which Nepal won by 5 wickets. In ICC World Cup 2015 qualifiers, these two teams met again in the 9th place play-off which Nepal won comprehensively by 160 runs. Nepal then lost to Uganda in the first match of this tournament by 20 runs.
Quotes
“I am very happy, because both yesterday and today, the top order batted very well. The team has been playing so much Twenty20 cricket, they’ve been in Twenty20 mode, so I am really happy with today’s result.” Pubudu Dassanayeke, head coach, Nepal Cricket Team.
