Nepal fall short by 84 runs against India

KATHMANDU, AUG 21 -
Sagar Pun’s spirited half century was the only highlight for Nepal as they suffered a second consecutive loss in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup, going down by 84 runs to India U-23 at  The Padang Ground in Singapore on Tuesday.

Chasing a big Indian total of 269, Pun who came on to bat at number eight scored an unbeaten 52 in Nepal’s total of 184 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

India controlled the proceedings, first setting up the big total and then restricting the Nepali batsmen from scoring freely claiming wickets at regular intervals. Playing on a slow pitch, against a strong opposition featuring several Indian Premier League (IPL) players, Nepal made a cautious start as the openers took 108 balls to score 49 runs.

Captain Surya Kumar Yadav drew the first blood for India, taking a return catch to remove Anil Mandal (19) with Nepal’s total at 49/1 in 17.6 overs. The next over saw Subash Khakurel (29) join the fellow opener in the pavillion, falling prey to Jasprit Bumarh in the same total.

Skipper Paras Khadka, who had smashed 60 runs against Afghanistan in the first match, failed to repeat that performance as he departed adding just 18 runs.

Ankit Bawne took the prized wicket of Khadka and added two more scalps in the match.  Gyanendra Malla did try to keep Nepal afloat, but his departure at 12 runs triggered Nepal’s middle order collapse.  Tailender Pun, who had come at 88/6 in 31.3 overs, then lifted the team’s morale and total to some respectability, smashing 52 runs which off 61 balls with the help of seven boundaries.

After putting on 30 runs for the seventh wicket with Basant Regmi, Pun shared a 55-run eight wicket partnership with Shakti Gauchan (14).

Earlier, India’s Lokesh Rahul (88) and Unmukt Chand (61) laid a strong platform scoring 118 runs for the opening wicket after being sent into bat. Captain Yadav’s quickfire 65 from 39 balls lower down the order powered India to a challenging 268 for five in their allotted 50 overs. Left arm spinner Regmi took three wickets but conceded 90 runs in his spell of 10 overs. Shakti Gauchan and Avinash Karn were the other successful Nepali bowlers.

“They are a strong team and it was a good exposure for us. They batted well and we failed to take wickets early on,” captain Khadka said after the match. He was all praises for Pun. “He [Pun] batted well and new comer Karn’s also equally brilliant with the ball.” With the win India now top Group A with four points from two games, while Nepal are at the bottom with two consecutive defeats.

Nepal play Pakistan in their last group on Wednesday, and Khadka is looking for a better show from his team. “We will try and take the challenge to Pakistan in the next game,” he said.

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