Kenya nail Nepal in thriller

KATHMANDU, JAN 12 -
Nepal lost their second ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier warm-up match, going down by one wicket to Kenya in a thrilling finish at the St. Andrew’s College ground, Christchurch, in New Zealand on Saturday.

Bating first, Nepal put 269 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets. Kenya in reply completed the chase in 49.5 overs, losing nine wickets.

After a shaky start, No. 4 batsman Morris Ouma steadied the innings with a well-made 73 before Thomas Odoya hit unbeaten 66 to take the Kenyans home.

Shakti Gauchan, who claimed four wickets, provided Nepal the first breakthrough trapping Alex Obanda (7) leg before in the second over. But opener Irfan Karim made 44 runs to steady the ship before being stumped off Gauchan in the 23rd over.

 Spinners did their job for Nepal to put Kenya in precarious position at 127-6 in 23.3 overs. But Ouma held firm sharing a 44-run seventh wicket stand with Steve Tikolo (29). Basanta Regmi then bowled Tikolo in the 39th over with Kenya at 171-7.

But a 54-ball 66 (not out) from No 9 batsman Odoyo including a 73-run partnership with Ouma put Kenya back into contention. Jeetendra Mukhiya provided Nepal the much needed break when he got rid of Ouma in the 47.3 overs to shrink Kenya to 244-8. But Odoya held his ground to take Kenya home with a ball to spare.

Earlier, Anil Mandal top-scored with 62 runs for Nepal after early wickets of  Mahesh Chhetri (6), Sagar Pun (13) and Gyanendra Malla (14). A 66-run seventh wicket stand between Binod Bhandari and Pradeep Airee steadied Nepal’s innings. Elijah Otieno bowled Bhandari (48) in 46th over as Nepal posted 265 runs.

Nepal, who had lost their first warmup game to Namibia by four wickets on Friday, will play UAE in thier  ICC World Cup Qualifier opener on Monday.

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