World Cup Dream Crashes Down

Nepal’s dream of qualifying for the ICC Trophy 2005, and then to the World Cup 2007, ended abruptly with the three-run defeat against Fiji in the semifinal of the World Cup Qualifying Series Division II cricket tournament at the Bayumas Ground, Kuala Lumpur today.

Nepal fielded well restricting Fiji to 143/8 in 50 overs with Shakti Gauchan taking four wickets for second time in two days but failed in batting losing nine wickets in 77 runs. It was 63-run partnership between captain Binod Das and No. 11 Raj Kumar Pradhan took Nepal near the victory but Neil Maxwell, man of the match in last three matches, claimed Binod’s wicket to end Nepal’s hopes.

“I am dejected,” Jai Kumar Nath Shah, the president of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) said after the defeat. “We were unlucky, luck deserted us.” Shah was the one who, for last six years, hoped that Nepal would qualify for the 2007 World Cup. “I am very unhappy,” he added. “I feel so sorry for Binod who nearly pulled an exciting win and for manager and coach.”

Nepal won the toss and elected to bowl. Fiji started slow batting patiently and added only 57 runs in first 24 overs losing just a wicket. After that, they tried to accelerate the run-rate and were hampered by Shakti’s bowling and three run-outs. Fiji ended their innings with lowly total of 143/8.

Nepal’s weakness against pace was witnessed in second innings as opening bowler Kitione Tavo bowled brilliantly. Tavo took first four wickets in his three overs restricting Nepal to 23/4 in five overs.

Inspired by Tavo, others too bowled enthusiastically as Nepal lost wickets at regular interval. At the end of 24 overs, Nepal were 77/9 with almost no chance of victory. It was then, Binod and Raj Kumar played patiently and endured Fijian bowling for almost 15 overs and taking Nepal too near to the victory.

Binod then edged Maxwell’s delivery and that ended Nepal’s innings three runs short of Fijian total. Binod scored 45 off 90 balls with five fours while Raj Kumar remained unbeaten on 22. Nepal will play Qatar for third-place-playoff on Sunday.