Nepal hammer S’pore in WC Asia Qualifier

Nepal’s Pawan Sarraf holds the player of the match award after their ICC World Cup Asia Qualifier match against Singapore in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, April 12, 2019. Photo courtesy: Raman Shiwakoti

Kathmandu, April 12

Nepal defeated Singapore by 217 runs in the opening match of the ICC World Cup Asia Qualifier at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today.

Batting first, Nepal were bowled out for 282 runs in 46 overs before packing Singapore for a paltry 65 runs in 31 overs. Skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel played a magnificent innings but he missed the century by five runs. Paudel struck seven fours and a six in his 105-ball 95.

Nepal lost opener Rit Gautam (one) and Aasif Sheikh (eight) with just eight runs on the board before Paudel and Pawan Saraf revived the innings with a 90-run partnership for the third wicket.

Sarraf was dismissed in the 19th over for 47 off 53 balls that included four boundaries and two sixes. Sandeep Jora (naught) lasted for two balls without troubling the score.

Paudel and Bhim Sharki then added 34 runs for the fifth wicket. Sharki scored 26 off 18 balls hitting four boundaries and a six, while Kushal Malla (10) departed cheaply. Rashid Khan joined skipper Paudel at the centre and the duo shared a 77-run partnership for the seventh wicket before both of them departed in the space of one run. Khan struck four boundaries and two sixes in his 47-ball 48 before being run out, while Paudel handed a catch to Sai Harsha Venugopal off Atharva Gune in the 46th over.

Kamal Singh Airee then scored a quick fire 31 off 18 balls with the help of one four and three sixes. Singapore skipper Aman Desai used eight bowlers and Gune was the pick with 4-37, while Raoul Sharma and Vinit Mehta took two wickets each.

In reply, Singapore lost first wicket with just nine runs on the board and never recovered. Only two batsmen could score in double figures. Ishaan Sawney top scored with 28 off 54 balls hitting four boundaries and a six, while opener Sai Harsha Venugopal struck three fours in his 45-ball 18.

Pawan Sarraf was the chief destroyer as he returned with the figures of 3-5 from six overs that included five maiden overs and he also earned the player of the match award. Kushal Malla (2-17) and Surya Tamang (2-15) shared four wickets between them, while Rashid Khan grabbed one wicket.

In the day’s other matches, the UAE defeated hosts Malaysia by five wickets after chasing down the 207-run target with 17 balls remaining, while Kuwait dismissed Oman for 105 before racing to the target losing two wickets with 183 balls to spare.

Nepal will face the UAE in their second match on Saturday at the Kinrara Academy Oval.