KATHMANDU, Feb 9: Nepal has defeated Namibia with 1 wicket at their first match in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 held at Windhoek in Namibia on Thursday.
Chasing the target of 139 runs set for Nepal by Namibia, Nepal reached the target in 49.2 overs with four balls remaining.
For Nepal, Sarad Vesawkar top-scored with 29 runs including three runs off 67 balls, Basant Regmi contributed 24 runs with 1 six and 4 fours off 24 balls while skipper Paras Khadka hit 19 runs including 2 fours off 35 balls to secure win over its opponent.
Sandeep Lamichhane was declared 'Man of the Match'.
Hard-fought win (photo feature)
Piling pressure on Nepal side, BM Scholtz claimed highest 4 wickets giving away 11 runs in 9 overs, Craig Williams grabbed 3 wickets conceding 32 runs in 10 overs while JJ Smit and T Lungameni took 1 wicket each.
Ealier, sent in to bat first after losing the toss, Namibia had set a target of 138 runs for Nepal in 34.2 overs.
Namibian player Craig Williams top-scored with 41 runs studded with 8 fours off 34 balls, JN Frylinck hit 22 runs including 3 fours in 31 balls while ZE Green contributed 22 runs in 32 balls.
Nepal bowled out its opponent in 34. 2 overs when Namibia had socred 138 runs.
Sandeep Lamichhane claimed highest 4 wickets giving away 18 runs in 8.2 overs, Sompal Kami grabbed 3 wickets at the cost of 35 runs in 7 overs while while S Vesawkar, skipper Paras Khadka and Basant Regmi took 1 wicket each, restricting Nepal to 138 runs.
A total of six teams are participating in the Division Two league from today. Nepal will face the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kenya, the fellow bottom four demoted teams from the WCLC along with other two teams - Oman and Canada - that were promoted from Division Three held in May last year.
The top two teams will qualify for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers to be held in Zimbabwe from March 4 to 25.
The 18-match tournament will take place across three venues in Windhoek - Wanderers, Affies and United Ground.
