Cricket Nepal Anything/Everything About Nepal's Cricket

Despite a five-wicket defeat against the USA amidst bad behavior of the spectators, Nepal qualified for the final and earned promotion to Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 4 being a whisker ahead on net run rate.

USA celebates the victory. Raising his bat is man of the match Sushil Nadkarni. Photo by NepalSportsPhoto.com

After scoring a lowly 162/9 in 50 overs in a jam-packed TU Cricket Ground, Nepal neither succeeded in defeating the USA nor making them win taking more than 38 overs — a point initially calculated safe for Nepal to reach the finals.

Matthew Kennedy, the ICC Global Development Program Manager. Photo Courtesy Bikash Karki/Republica

Matthew Kennedy, the ICC Global Development Program Manager, is in Kathmandu for the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 5. He joined International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2000 and has been serving in the current position since January, 2004. On Thursday, in between his meetings, Kennedy talked with Cricket Nepal about the Program and the tournament. Excerpts:

Sharad Vesawkar was omitted from the preliminary squad for the World Cricket League Division 5 and was the last minute inclusion after a pull-out. He wanted to prove decision of his exclusion wrong and he did it perfectly.

Sharad Vesawkar hits century. Photo by NepalSportsPhoto.com

Sharad scored an unbeaten century, only third in Nepal’s history of one-dayers with a skill and form that reminded many of his talents and potential. His century brought Nepal a 193-run victory over Fiji at the TU Ground.

Captain Paras Khadka will probably declare the BSAM Ground his favorite for his two innings there has produced him two thumping victories, two half-centuries and two man-of-the-match awards.

Paras Khadka was at his best agains Bahrain. Photo by NepalSportsPhoto.com

His unbeaten 71 against Bahrain brought Nepal an eight-wicket victory and pushed his team towards the qualification to World Cricket League Division 4. It was third victory in as many games for Nepal in the WCL Div 5.

Nepali bowlers held their nerves to defend a lowly total against Singapore and register a 16-run win at the IOE Ground in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 5 on Sunday.

Sanjam Regmi celebrates a wicket with teammates. Photo by NepalSportsPhoto.com

Nepal bowled out Singapore for 164 in 47.5 overs after scoring 180/9 in 50 overs. The heroes of the win were the Regmi duo of Basant and Sanjam who dominated the proceedings in either innings.