Nepal seal T20I series sweep in Kuala Lumpur

Kathmandu, July 14

Binod Bhandari scored a magnificent half century as Nepal edge past Malaysia by six runs to complete the Twenty20 International series sweep at the Kinrara Oval in Kuala Lumpur today.

Nepal, who had defeated the home side by seven wickets in the first match yesterday, posted 173-6 in their allotted 20 overs before restricting Malaysia to 167-7. The series sweep in the shortest version of the game is the first for Nepal and second overall and it came along with a couple of records. Nepal had defeated the UAE 2-1 for their maiden series victory earlier this year.

The total of 173 is the highest posted by Nepal in T20Is eclipsing the previous best of 149 against Hong Kong in the 2014 World Twenty20 in Bangladesh, while Bhandari scored the fastest half century for Nepal.

Bhandari completed the half century off just 25 balls which beat skipper Paras Khadka’s mark that came off 32 balls in the first match on his way to scoring the highest individual score of 86 not out.

Skipper Khadka opened the innings with Pawan Sarraf and the duo added 34 runs before the later was run out for 10 runs in 4.5 overs. Gyanendra Malla (seven) fluffed for the second straight time and Khadka followed him to the pavilion in the next ball as Nepal came under pressure at 42-3 in 5.3 overs.

Rohit Kumar Paudel and Sharad Vesawkar then added 46 runs for the fourth wicket to steady the innings but Syed Aziz struck to dismiss the U-19 team skipper for 23-ball 19.

Bhandari joined Vesawkar at the crease and they shared a 29-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Vesawkar scored a quick fire 49 off 28 balls hitting four boundaries and two sixes.

After the fall of Vesawkar in the 16th over, Bhandari combined with Karan KC to add 33 runs for the sixth wicket before the latter fell for 10-ball 16 that included one each four and six. Bhandari and Sompal Kami (one) then added 23 runs from the last eight balls for the unbroken seventh wicket partnership. Bhandari’s unbeaten 25-ball 51 included three fours and five boundaries.

Fitri Sham was the pick of the Malaysian bowlers taking 3-26 from three overs, while Ayed Aziz and Sharvin Muniandy grabbed one wicket each.

Malaysia made a superb start to run chase with openers Virandeep Singh and Syed Aziz putting up 75 runs inside 10 overs. Abinash Bohara separated the pair when he had Singh (23) caught behind by Bhandari before Kami dismissed Aziz two runs later. Aziz top scored with 50 off 37 balls hitting seven fours and a six.

The home team then could not build partnerships and Nepal claimed three more wickets in space of 20 runs to put Malaysia under pressure at 11-5. Nepal were in control with Malaysia needing 58 balls from 24 balls. But Aminuddin Ramly changed the complexion of match hitting Paras Khadka for three sixes in the 17th over before the Nepal skipper dismissed him in the last ball of the over. Ramly scored 11-ball 24.

Malaysia clobbered 14 runs in the penultimate over bowled by Karan KC and they needed another 14 from the last over to win the match. Nepal skipper Khadka entrusted Bohara for the final over and the bowler delivered under pressure conceding seven runs to seal the victory. Muhamad Syahadat remained unbeaten on 21 off 11 balls.

Sompal Kami (2-25) and Sandeep Lamichhane (2-38) shared four wickets between them, while Karan KC, Abinash Bohara and Paras Khadka grabbed one wicket each.

The two sides are preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup Asian Regional Finals Qualifier slated for July 22-28 in Singapore. Qatar, Kuwait and Singapore are the other three teams in the game and the winners will earn berth in the 14-team ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier to be held in the UAE in October-November.

Top six sides from the tournament will make it to next year’s World Cup in Australia.

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