Shanto half-century knocks Nepal out of Emerging Cup

KATHMANDU, Nov 19: Najmul Hossain Shanto hit a half-century as Bangladesh crushed Nepal out of the ongoing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Emerging Teams Cup following an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh on Monday.

At the Krira Shikkha Protisthan No 4 Ground at Savar, Bangladesh captain Shanto hit 59 runs and was helped by his bowlers Sumon Khan and Minhajul Abedin Afridi, who took three wickets each in the win.

Earlier, Nepal, who was invited to bat first after losing the toss, presented a target of 138 runs to Bangladesh for the loss of all its wickets in 44.3 overs.

In reply, Bangladesh chased the target hitting 140 runs for the loss of two wickets in 24 overs.

Sompal Kami hit the highest 38 runs off 63 balls for Nepal including four boundaries, while new captain and opener Gyanendra Malla scored 22 runs off 27 deliveries which also included four fours.

Likewise, Karan KC added 18 runs off 47 balls with a four and six, while Aarif Sheikh hit 11 runs off 39 balls.

The other opener Kushal Bhurtel hit 10 runs off 22 deliveries which included a four.

Pawan Sarraf added nine, Binod Bhandari scored eight, Dipendra Singh Airee contributed six, while Sharad Vesawkar and Sushan Bhari not out hit a run each for the team. Sundeep Jora went out for a duck.

Khan and Afridi took three wickets each for the team. Khan gave away 29 runs in 8.3 overs, while Afridi conceded 29 runs in 10 overs.

Likewise, Tanvir Islam bowled two maiden overs claiming two wickets conceding 26 runs in overs and Mahedi Hasan took two wickets as well giving away 25 runs in nine overs which included a maiden.

In reply, Bangladesh started the game brightly with the first wicket going down for 34-1 in 5.5 overs when Soumya Sarkar was sent to the pavilion in KC’s bowling.

Captain Shanto hit the highest score of the game with not out 59 runs off 56 balls including two sixes and six fours, while the opener Mohammad Naim added 45 runs off 56 balls which included six boundaries.

Likewise, Yasir Ali not out on 18 runs hit off 15 balls with a six and two fours, while Sarkar added 11 runs off 17 balls comprising a six. Bhari and KC picked up the only two wickets of the match.

KC picked a wicket giving away 11 runs in six overs comprising of two maidens, while Bhari took a wicket conceding 24 runs in three overs.

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