Nepal taste Loss in ICC

KATHMANDU, AUG 18 – Poor batting marred Rahul BK’s five wickets haul as Nepal tasted first loss at the International Cricket Council World Cricket League Division 4 at the hands of Tanzania on Tuesday.

Bowlers had once again provided a good platform for Nepal as they had bowled Tanzania a regular at Division 4 for 117 runs in 47.3 overs.

Chasing a modest total Nepal’s vulnerable batting was exposed by the Tanzanian bowlers as they bowled Nepal out for 108 runs in the 45th over.

With five ducks and no partnership to speak of Tanzania made mockery of the new comer Nepal’s batting at the Medicina Ground. The new opening pair of Anil Mandal and Mehboob Alam did not click to begin with. Both Mandal and Alam departed in a hurry without scoring a single run and Nepal was reduced to four for the loss of two wickets in the second over.

Skipper Paras Khadka and his deputy Gyanendra Malla stitched a partnership of 37 runs to get Nepal back on the track. KZ Rehmtullah got Tanzania back on the course as he had Khadka (24 runs caught by S Khalifa in the 15th over to reduce Nepal for 41/3.

Two wickets fell in succession as Sharad Vesawkar (0) and Shakti Gauchan (2runs) departed within the spam of two overs. Nepal’s hope of getting back in the match dowsed as Malla (41 runs) returned back to the seats in the 31st over with the score of 85/6.

Earlier, electing to field, spinners duo BK and Basanta Regmi had shared seven wickets within themselves to bowl Tanzania, which had lost their first match against the US by tens wickets, for a low total. Nepal play Argentina at the Bolonga Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Kantipur