What a thriller !! Aarif-Rohit added 87 runs for 6th wicket to keep Nepal alive in qualification destiny.
Winning the toss, Nepal’s skipper Paras Khadka, invited Kenya to have bat first. Sompal Kami created a chance in initial phase itself but non-regular, wicketkeeper, Gyanendra Malla, failed to hold it. It cost Nepal as Kenya’s opener, Karim (42) and Obanda (41), added 65 runs for first wicket, before Lamichhane sent back Obanda back in change room.
Lamichhane’s two wickets in his first spell brought back Nepal in the game. Nepal bowled brilliantly and reduced Kenya to (104-5) in 34th over. But late fire from, Ngoche (23) and Odhiambo (24) resulted Kenya to score 45 runs in last 7 overs. Brilliant start from opener followed by positive conclusion from tail anders propelled Kenya’s total to 177 runs in stipulated 50 overs with the lost of 8 batsmen.
Sandeep Lamichhane (5-20) record-breaking figure followed by a wicket each from Sompal Kami, Basant Regmi and Sharad Vesawkar did the job for Nepal.
Image Source – Raman Shiwakoti, Nepal Cricket Team technical analyst.
Player of the match, Lamichhane particularly bowled five maiden overs on his way to achieve his first five wicket-haul in List ‘A’ format.
In response, Nepal started their chase on most worst manner, losing three wickets on the score of 4 runs. Gyanendra Malla (09), Anil Sah (00) and Dipendra Airee (01) failed to impress yet again. Thanks to 55 runs stand between Paras Khadka (42) and Sharad Vesawkar (19) for fourth wicket which fired up the Nepal’s hope’s lamp. But it was impressive 87 runs stand between Aarif Sheikh (42) and Rohit Kumar Paudel (47) that helped Nepal to pull back stunning win. They played composed innings with risk less cricket, scoring altogether 3 boundaries.
For Kenya, it was Ringera who threw his everything and picked up three wickets. He sent back Anil Sah, Gyanendra Malla and Dipendra Airee in his bowling spell of 6 overs.
Nepal will play against Canada in same venue on 14th February whereas Kenya will face Oman in trustco United on same fixture.
@Espncricinfo
Nepal is placed in second position just below Canada, having equal point. Kenya ranked 6th with all three loses till now.
