By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal defeated Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club in a practice match by 111 runs thanks to an inspired performance by Nepali bowlers.
Chasing a target of 215 runs set by Nepal, the home side were all out in 28.5 overs with 103 runs on board during Monday’s match. Sri Lanka Navy’s Madhushanka topscored 39 runs off 68 balls for the team. No other batsman was able to put up a good show.
Nepal’s skipper Sandeep Lamichhane took 3 wickets in 7.5 overs including a maiden and giving away 18 runs. Likewise, Gyanendra Malla took two wickets in his one-over spell giving away 8 runs. Bikram Sob took two wickets while Karan KC, Kamal Singh Airee, and Sagar Dhaal bagged a wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal won the toss and opted to bat first. The visitors were all out in 37.1 overs with 214 runs on board. Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee topscored 43 runs off 52 balls that included three fours and a six. Opener Kushal Bhurtel was run out with 16 runs in his name while another opener Aasif Sheikh scored 36 runs before being run out. Gyanendra Malla was bowled for just one run. Rohit Kumar Poudel contributed 13 runs and Binod Bhandari scored 22 while Kamal Singh Airee (16), Karan KC (16), Sandeep Lamichhane (11), and Sagar Dhakal (13) also contributed to the total. Nepal received 16 extra runs.
Sri Lanka Navy’s spinner Arbind Akurugoda took 4 wickets in 9.1 overs giving away 59 runs while A Awadat took three wickets in 10 overs.
Nepal is playing practice matches in Sri Lanka as a preparation for the ICC World Cup League 2 to be held in the UAE next week.
Nepal will reach the UAE on March 14 to compete against the UAE and Papua New Guinea under the World Cup League-2 from March 16 to March 22.
Nepal is sixth in the ICC World Cup League-2 with four wins and four losses in eight matches. The World Cup League-2 will run until 2023 and the top three teams in the league will directly qualify for the ODI World Cup to be held in the same year. Other four teams will have to compete in the play-off to secure a place in the ODI World Cup.
Nepal’s Match Schedule during UAE visit:
March 16: Vs Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
March 18: Vs UAE, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
March 21: Vs UAE, Dubai
March 22: Vs Papua New Guinea, Dubai
