KATHMANDU, JUL 30 - Nepal lost to Scotland by three runs in a last over thriller during their first match of the ICC World Cricket League Championship in Edinburgh on Wednesday. In a match that was reduced to 36 overs a side, Scotland rode on a century stand from skipper Preston Mommsen and Con de Lange to amass a mammoth 235-7. Nepal had a slow start but a sensation comeback staged by a 139-run stand between Anil Mandal and skipper Paras Khadka took Nepal close to victory before the team was restricted to 232-5 in 36 overs. Nepal needed 17 runs to win from the last over and they lost well set Mandal for 100 in the first ball. New man Pradeep Airee scampered for a single of the second before a six from Sompal Kami made it 10 to win from three balls. But seamer Safyaan Sharif held his nerve conceding two singles in the next two balls, leaving Nepal with eight to win from the last ball. Kami dispatched the last ball for four. Nepal had a sluggish start with Mandal and Mahesh Chhetri (21 off 39) collecting 44 runs in the first 11 overs. Nepal still had a mountain to climb when they lost Gyanendra Malla (18) was out at 76-2 in 18 overs. However, Mandal and Khadka not only build the innings patiently but gave the acceleration that turned the match to its head. Khadka was out for 77 off 57 with five fours and two sixes. Mandal’s 90-ball innings included eight fours and a six. Earlier, Scotland got off to a decent start with openers George Munsey (19) and Kyle Coetzer putting on 41 runs in the first seven overs. Coetzer guided them to triple figures but by that time Nepal had already taken five wickets ,reducing the hosts to 101-5 in 21.1 overs. But Mommsen and De Lange defied the Nepali attack, first playing patiently before switching gears to notch up a century stand. The two batsmen shared 113 runs for Scotland taking the game away from Nepal. Mommsen smashed four sixes and five boundaries on his way to making 78 off 62 before falling prey to Sompal Kami, while De Lange scored in a brisk pace scoring 55 not out from 41 balls with four hits to the fence and two over the fence. Basanta Regmi was the pick of the Nepali bowlers taking 2-47 from eight overs. Paras took 2-47 from seven. Nepal will play their second match on Friday.
Post a Comment