Feb 14, 2018-Karan KC guided Nepal to a one-wicket thrilling victory against Canada in their final match of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 at Windhoek, Namibia on Wednesday. The victory has ensured Nepal a berth for World Cup Qualifiers to be held in March in Zimbabwe.
KC rescued Nepal in the dying moment, clobbering 42 runs off 31 balls including four sixes and three boundaries. Though Dilip Nath stood firm at one end but wickets fell at regular interval from the other end. He scored 41 runs hitting five fours for Nepal. Aarif Sheikh scored 26 runs hitting one four off 57 balls.
After winning the toss, Nepal invited Canada to bat first in which the latter made 194 runs with the loss of eight wickets in stipulated 50 overs.
Chasing the target of 195-runs, Nepali battling line made a poor start losing opener Gyanendra Malla for nine runs.
Veteran left-arm spinner Basanta Regmi claimed highest three wickets while teenage leg-spinning sensation Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets.
Skipper Paras Khadka was dismissed for golden duck while Dipendra Singh Aire (18), who was emerged as a crowd favorite and a player pegged to take Nepal cricket to new heights in a short span of time, also failed to make notable contribution.
Sharad Veswakar, who had scored 67 runs in the match against Kenya, fell cheaply for one run.
Rohit Kumar Paudel added 27 runs including two fours on the board in the match which was halted briefly due to rain in the 34th overs. Sompal Kami played 12 balls for his seven before was caught in the 40th over.
Basanta Regmi, however, failed to open his account though he played three balls.
For Canada, Srimantha Wijeratne top scored 103 not-out off 152 balls including eight boundaries and Hamza Tariq scored 24.
The top two teams will make it through to the World Cup Qualifiers to be held in March in Zimbabwe.
Source - Ekantipur