Nepal won it’s must win match in the ongoing Asia Cup Qualifier by 4 wickets to keep there qualifier hope hanging in a thin thread. Chasing down a modest target that must be chased in 17 overs to make the net run rate in +0.5, thanks to Subash khakurel who kept in dot balls in his basket before he finally got out in 38 balls with a consolidating 4. Meanwhile, Anil Kumar sah proved his worth with 32 balls 43 with 5 fours and 2 sixes in a tournament where he has been neglected at the top. Dipendra Singh Airee apart from that brilliant run out played nearly a run a ball 34 to show what modern youngster could fetch in the top level. It was all left for Aarif Sheikh to end the match with a 1st ball four.
Before, winning the toss, Singapore desired to bat first. Nepal called their third genuine spinner, Lalit Rajbanshi, in place of medium pacer, Lalit Bhandari. Three Singapore’s batsmen were sent back quickly as they were 3 down, scoring 18 runs. Sompal Kami sent back both openers, Mutreja (00) and Rangarajan (08). Lalit Rajbanshi was given chance to bowl in power play and he rewarded his captain with Dutta’s (08) wicket.
Suryawanshi and Paraam shared 80 runs for 4th wicket to give their bowler something to defend. Paraam added 31 runs, facing 67 balls, with 2 shots kissing the boundary’s rope. His deputy, Suryawanshi smashed maximum 68 runs from 88 balls with the help of 6 fours and a six. Singapore were 5th down, putting 104 runs on board. Lower middle order batsmen pushed it to 151 runs, before getting all out in 42th overs.
Lalit Rajbanshi bowled 9 overs and picked up 3 wickets, expensing 27 runs. His spinning partner, Lamichhane picked up 3 wickets, expensing 35 runs in his bowling spell of 10 overs. Lone pace bowler, Sompal Kami, also chipped in with 2 wickets in his tally.
For Nepal even beating Hongkong won’t help as they need to beat the title contrnders by a huge margin. UAE is always on hunt with a huge margin win against Oman today. Nepal is almost out of the tournament despite 2 consecutive wins.
