Rain played spoilsport as the inaugural match between Nepal and USA in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4 in Italy was called off after 14 overs on Saturday.
Paras Khadka pulls against USA in the World Cricket League Division 4 match. Photo by International Cricket Council.
Nepal was 51/2 with in-form Anil Mandal on 30 and captain Paras Khadka on 10 when the match was halted by rainfall and finally called off for the day without a result. The teams will play a fresh rematch on Monday.
Two other matches of the day were also called off due to rainfall.
At Ovale di Rastignano of Pianora, USA won the toss and decided to bowl first. Mahesh Chhetri and Shakti Gauchan fell early.
Mahesh failed to cut a rising delivery from Kevin Darlington in the third over and was out for four caught at third slip by captain Steve Massiah. Shakti was also undone by sharply bouncing delivery by Usman Shuja for naught.
The ball kissed the gloves of Shakti, who was trying to defend off backfoot, and wicket-keeper Orlando Baker grabbed an easy catch to make it 11/2 in four overs.
Much needed resistance came from Anil, who had scored two half-centuries in warm-up matches, and Paras. The duo played patiently rotating strikes and taking no chances until they were settled well. After nine overs, Nepal was 23/2 but from then onwards with rain threatening to spoilsport, they accelerated and scored 28 runs in next five overs to take Nepal in a good looking position.
Nepal will now meet Italy on Sunday.
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The rain is the real villain & nothing can be done – just twiddle your fingers and curse the weather. I reckon if the game had been full, it would have been a keen tussle. For two reasons – First – with 2 comprehensive victories in its practice matches, the morale of the players is sky-high and the players are raring to win every match they play. Secondly, the USA team, having lost against Nepal in the last encounter of ICC WCL-DIVISION-5 FINALS, the USA is more than licking its wound to avenge the defeat and settle the score. Any way, whatever happened it is gone and now the players will have to concentrate for upcoming games. They will have to keep in mind since the rain is very much possible, captain Paras Khadka will have to bear in mind the D/L METHOD factor may come into picture in the games. My only suggestion to the players is – Play with positive frame of mind and believe in yourselves, you will soon realise the accomplishment of your cherished dreams.
binod das has taken the first wicket of italy
Hey all Nepalese cricket fans, lets get together and donate some money to Nepali cricket team to buy a very good camera, a Laptop so that they can take it with them where ever they go and stream live videos through Ustream.
I am up will give $50 dollars..
50 fans alike will get them up and running.
Can any one from Nepalese cricket team take this responsibility, Parash Khadka, Mr captain… are you up.. reply to this post hey one of the Nepali fan in Italy meet Parash put these word forward.
i am also ready to donate……
Why cant nepal broad cast these matches live.i bet they will get a hand full of sponsors for this.