Nepal beat Colts in tour opener
KATHMANDU, DEC 20 -
Nepal made a bright start to their ICC World Cup Qualifiers preparation with an impressive five-wicket win over Colts Cricket Club in a practice match in Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Nepal bowled out Colts for 228 runs in 49.3 overs before reaching 232-6 in 47 overs. It was a huge morale booster for the tourists ahead of their 50-over ICC World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for January 13-February 1 in New Zealand. Nepal have already qualified for the 2014 Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Colts lost opener Ishan Muthalip for a duck in the first over, bowled by Avinash Karn. Muthalip’s opening partner Shehan Fernando was looking dangerous on 51 but fell to Sagar Pun while captain Muthumudalge Pushpakumara contributed 37 before holing out to Subash Khakurel off Basanta Regmi.
Akila Dananjaya chipped in 25 while Aruna Darmasena remained not out on 33-ball 34 to ensure the hosts reach 228. Captain Paras Khadka was the pick off the Nepali bowlers with figures of 3-38, while Avinash Karn took 3-45.
In reply, Nepal lost Anil Mandal (13) early on but Subash Khakurel (56) and Gyanendra Malla (58) laid the platform for successful run chase. Khakurel fell to Nuwan Karunarathne while Malla was dismissed by Ali Khan. Nepal briefly seemed to lose their way after the dismissal of skipper Khadka (12) and Sharad Vesawker (17).
However, Pradeep Airee blasted 27 of just 19 deliveries and Binod Bhandari chipped in with 21 runs to guide Nepal home with 18 balls to spare. Ali Khan was Colts’ best bowler with figures of 2-28 while Nuwan Karunarathne picked up 2-52.
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