Nepal scored a thumping 8-wicket victory over African nation Tanzania to register second win in the World Cricket League Division 4 at the Bayemas Oval, Malaysia.
After choosing to bat first, Tanzania was bowled out for 82 in 39.4 overs. Nepal chased the target in 19.4 overs in loss of two wickets.
It was Nepal’s second big win over Tanzania after 10-wicket victory in Italy two years ago in same event.
Tanzania were then bowled out for 77 runs third-place playoff but it wasn’t before the African nations shocked Nepal with a 9-run victory defending 117 runs during league round.
At Bayemas Oval, former captain Binod Das pushed Tanzania to back-foot taking a couple of wickets in the second over to make it 0/2. Captain Paras Khadka then took two more in ninth over to make it 13/4 and the match was virtually decided at the point.
Paras went on to add two more wickets to finish at 4/24 from 9 overs while left-arm spinner Basant Regmi took 3 wickets for 14 runs in 6.4 overs to take his tournament tally to six wickets.
Shakti Gauchan grabbed a wicket as Tanzania ended the ordeal at 82. Issa Kikasi scored 33 for them.
Nepal’s Anil Mandal continued with his bad form going out after scoring 9 as Nepal went into lunch at 42/1 from 12 overs with Subash Khakurel and Gyanendra Malla at crease.
Gyanendra began post-lunch session with three fours in an over but then lost Subash (20) in a run out.
Paras walked in and finished the match in style hitting a couple of boundaries and a six as winning shot for his 15 off 10 balls. Gyanendra remained unbeaten on 28 off 39 balls with 4 fours.
Paras, who also took three catches in the match, was declared man of the match.
Nepal will now meet hosts Malaysia on September 6 at Selangor.
Brief scores: Nepal 83/2 in 19.4 overs (Gyanendra Malla 28*, Subash Khakurel 20, Paras Khadka 15*, Anil Mandal 9) beats Tanzania 82 all out in 31.4 overs (Issa Kikasi 33, B Mwita 16, K Rehemtulla 11, Paras Khadka 4/24, Basant Regmi 3/14, Binod Das 2/15, Shakti Gauchan 1/8) by 8 wickets.