Nepal defeats Namibia to log its third straight win in tri-series

KATHMANDU: Nepal earned its third consecutive victory in as many matches in ICC World Cricket League 2 tri-series, defeating Namibia by three wickets with 15 balls to spare at the TU International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Saturday.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Namibia scored 274 runs, losing six wickets in the allotted 50 overs. Though Namibia was down to 5-138 in the 38th over, Zane Green and Pikky Ya France played aggressive knocks to take Namibia to 232 in the 49th over. Namibia scored 96 runs in the last six overs with Karan KC being taken for 25 runs in the final over.

Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets for Nepal, while Karan KC had a wicket to his name. KC conceded 74 runs in nine overs.

Nepal made a poor start in the chase losing opener Kushal Bhurtel with just nine runs on board. But a second-wicket partnership between Gyanendra Malla and Aasif Sheikh took Nepal to 148 runs. Aasif scored 81 runs from 98 balls while Malla scored a 74-ball 65. Kushal Malla and Rohit Poudel scored 62 runs and 39 runs, respectively, before Nepal wobbled losing four wickets in 20 balls. Sompal Kami hit a boundary in the 48th over after facing two dot balls to take Nepal home much to the joy of the home crowd.

This is Namibia’s third straight defeat in the tri-series. Namibia plays Scotland on Monday in its final match of the tri-series.