Kathmandu – Blistering Century from Skipper Paras Khadka and unbeaten half century from Sharad Vesawkar uplifted Nepal to chase their highest successful run-chase of 240 posted by Namibia at T.U. Cricket ground on Monday in the ICC World Cricket League Championship match.
Summary: Nepal 240/7 (49.5 ov), Khadka 103, Vesawkar 74* defeated Namibia 239/9 (50.0 ov) by 3 wickets
Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar shared a record breaking 167 (169) runs partnership for third wicket to put Nepal on the driving seat on a nearly rain hit match. Khadka’s blistering innings of 103 off 94 balls (including 5 fours and 7 sixes) pulled the team out of the trouble. He became the second batsman to score a century in List A matches for Nepal. Previously, Anil Mandal managed that against Scotland last year.
Photo: PahiloPost.com
Nepal were struggling at 2-37 in 13.2 overs when Khadka joined Vesawkar. The new opening pair Gyanendra Malla 22 (46) and Naresh Budhayair 6(19) once again failed in second match. They were slow and defensive most of the time in the first powerplay, producing just one boundary. Meanwhile, Vesawkar showed his class and played a patience knock at the other end taking singles and giving the strike to Skipper. He completed another half century (74 runs off 107 balls) to hit the winning shot back to back in two matches.
Once Paras Khadka was dismissed in 42nd over, Nepali fans witnessed another collapse that saw the downfall of Rajesh Pulami (1), Binod Bhandari (12), Sagar Pun (2) and Sompal Kami (1). At one stage, Nepal needed 16 off 32 balls but that collapse brought the sensational last over of the match. 6 runs were required off 6 balls and Vesawkar calm’s innings brought the glory for Nepal.
Burger grabbed 3 wickets and Groenewald took 2 wicket to his name.
Photo:Salokya/Mysansar.com
Earlier, Namibia were invited to bat and the opening stand between Captain Stephan Baard and Wicketkeeper Zane Green piled up 95 runs in 21st over. Baard was sensational with his batting and scored 60 balls 51 runs that included 8 fours. Zane (47) fell 3 short of half century to Basant Regmi. From 95/0, they collapsed to 134/6, but Burger (43), Scholtz (22), Smit (11) provided a good platform to reach 200. It was JP Kotze’s little cameo of 32 off 11 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes) that change the complexion at the end of the 1st inning. Finally, Namibia piled up a challenging 239/9 in their 50 overs.
Offspinner Basant Regmi, Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichanne and Left arm orthodox Shakti Gauchan produced two wickets each. Sompal Kami (7-0-64-0) had a horrendous day as he was thrashed all over the park in his 7 overs.
Photo: Salokya/Mysansar.com
With this win, Nepal completed the third round of ICC World Cricket League Championship against Namibia with two win out of two match. They move to number 5 in the points table with 4 points.
“This was a batting wicket and hats off to Sharad Vesawkar. I feel good after scoring the century, it’s a team game & team victory is always important, Lets carry on”, Skipper Paras Khadka said. “Fast bowling was the worry but the pitch was made for spin, there was no option other than playing one fast bowler. We will improve but thank you all who supported Nepal through out these situation”, he added.
