Paras Khadka played a captain’s knock as Nepal made a winning start in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 5 defeating Jersey by six wickets at the BSAM Ground.
USA’s Steve Messiah made it a captain day playing the leading role in its huge 285-run victory over Fiji at the IOE Ground while Singapore overcame Bahrain challenge by 126 runs at the TU Ground.
Paras Khadka celebrates half-century. Photo by NepalSportsPhoto.com
Coming at 29/2 after both openers – Mehboob Alam (7) and Dipendra Chaudhary (13) were dismissed by Jersey skipper Ryan Driver, Paras first stabilized the innings with Shakti Gauchan before going quick.
Shakti scored 32 off 62 deliveries for a partnership of 68 runs. The pair was slow at the beginning but started going after spinners once they became accustomed with the wickets and bowlings.
Sharad Vesawkar joined Paras to display the form he had been missing for long. Another 65-run partnership, which included brilliant cricket shots, followed.
Paras, who reached his half-century in 53 balls, was bowled around the leg by Benjanmin Stevens while trying to sweep. He was frustrated for not being able to take his team to the victory which was just 13 runs away, but nevertheless it was an innings that ensured the victory.
Sharad pulled Samuel Dewhurst for a six to complete the victory at the completion of 38 overs. Gyanendra Malla remained unbeaten on six.
Earlier, Jersey won the toss and elected to bat first. The opening pacers bowled brilliantly for Nepal – with Mehboob Alam living with his fame with a first-over wicket of former captain Mathew Hague. He gave away just eight runs in his six overs.
Binod Das was a bit expensive giving away 20 but a brilliant diving catch by Gyanendra to end a knock by Jonathan Gough. They bowled tightly giving away just 18 runs, hit without a boundary, off first nine overs.
Opener Deam Morrison and Samuel da la Haye stood firm then after playing the pace and spin brilliantly as Paras went on searching for breakthrough and handed ball from this bowler to that.
The breakthrough finally came in the 24th over when Basant Regmi trapped da la Haye in front. Da la Haye scored 38 off 46 and added 71 with Morrison.
Morrison played a patient knock of 62 off 112 balls and was in an anchor role. He was out eighth. The middle-order failed to cope the spin and some brilliant fielding effort that saw three of the Jersey batsmen run-out.
Off spinner Sanjam Regmi and Shakti got two wickets each while Rahul Kumar BK got one to bowl out the team in 44.5 overs.
“Not batting for 50 overs is a mistake in one-day cricket,” Jersey captain Driver said after the match.
“The wickets here are lot more different than we were used to play,” he added. “It has a lot of turn.”
Driver believed that they took the batting powerplay at the wrong time – ‘my mistake of course’ – and lauded Nepal’s effort.
On Sunday, Nepal plays Singapore at the IOE Ground.
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Couldnt wait for the news! And the nerves…
I think Jersey and USA are the team to watch out for. And in the papers atleast for now, we should make it to the finals.
I say that as Fijians are plagued by injuries and unavialabilies (although we have poor records against them, we have improved plus we have the home advantage..and its too cold for the tropical Fijian!), Singapore and Baharain, well we have met them in the past, and unless we have a very bad day..I would bet my left eye on wins against them.
We have crossed the Jersey hurdle, now it would be also good to beat the US. US might be a bit tougher as they have just come off a T20 qualifier. Although they did not qualify, they have just come off playing some good quality cricket. But we have beaten them abroad before and yes I am sure we can do it again!
For the people living abroad, I just checked ICC website, and we can thank our lucky stars!! I think they are going to put up video highlights of all the games!! O yes!!
From here, I can easily see us qualify into the WCL Div 4. I also believe we have all the chances in winning the WCL Div 4 league. We are just mis placed in the lower WCL Div 5 due to misfortunes and ICC/ACC cunningness!
Good luck to the Nepal cricket team and Nepalese fan.
Pefect starter for Nepal. Win against one of the toughest team in the league. Keep going guys.. All the player seems to be in groove. Well, collective effort from the team too. This is what is required in the up coming games for Paras & co. Well thought Paras by using more spinners in the game as these westeners get a bit of trouble tackling spin in the subcontinent. But, I feel Paras wasted Shakti Gauchan a bit. He could have used him more. Any way, everything worked today, may be was part of a plan. Well done guys!!
Tomorrows game with Singapore. Tough game too. Keep going guys. ITS NOW OR ITS NEVER… GOOD LUCK!
Good start in the beginning by all nepalese players especially by the captain…keep it up and good luck for the same peformence in comming matches. ALL THE BEST ‘NEPAL’!!!
couldnt view the video highlights from icc. do u guys have any ideas on how to view it?
Congrats Nepal….
Noire, u can watch video highlight on icc official website.
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/media_interactive_zone/broadcast_video.php?mediaId=1119
Way to go guys! Great job!!! we need 5 or 6 more victories to move towards Div. 4…Best of luck.
Congrats Paras Khadka for leading from the front ! It has been a good start and now Nepal needs to keep the momentum of good work continued until the mission is accomplished without getting into any sort of complacency. Only worrying factor is the opening partnership. Dipendra and Mehboob will have to work out their short-comings and display better performance in the upcoming games. Besides, Shakti will have to realise the importance of scoring quickly in this sort of game. Sarad has justified his inclusion after the debacle in 20Twenty Cricket Tournament. The bowlers have done pretty good job, they will have to cut down the number of wide balls.tAll in all, it was a good performance and hope the winning streak will continue.
Now looking at the performance of all 6 teams, one could say that it is going to be a tussle among 3 teams USA, Singapore or Nepal to make it into the Finals. Unless there is some extraordinary performances and unexpected factors come into play the remaining 3 teams Jersey, Fiji and Baharain would have to be satisfied with having got the opportunity of playing with better sides and improve upon their games.
Hey Bish,
Thanks for telling me what I already know.
Congratulation for Nepalese Team for wining today’s match against good Jersey side.
I think we should change the opening pair of the batting, because Mehaboob Allam’s record as an opener is not so insperational! and Anil Mandal should be given a chance because he played well in the practice match between senior and U21 side and also played well in the SAG.
And, I think we should bring Subhash Khakurel In the national side because he is an perfect opener in the modern day cricket. He should what he is capable of in the practice match against Fizi and USA scoring 68(33 balls, 11 fours and 2 sixes) and 50(37 balls, 7 fours and 2 sixes) respectively within first 10 overs.
Best of luck for Nepalese Team for the remaining Matches.
I really think if people dont perform they should be given some game off to think hard. I mean Alam has not clicked with bat or bowl. Now I am a fan of Alam as he is the best all rounder in the country (bar Paras), but if others are performing in domestic and practise matches…they have earned a right to represent.
“NEPAL DEFEATS USA” how would that be? Eagerly wanna hear that! C’mon players,make it happen. U can do it!