Binod Das celebrates a catch. He took career best 6/29.
Rain allowed a little play, but that was enough for Nepal, inspired by captain Binod Das, to put up a never-before performance against Hong Kong in the second day of the three-day ACC Fast Track Countries & ICC InterContinental Cup match here at the TU Cricket Ground today.
Binod took career best 6/29, also the best bowling figure for any Nepali in three-day matches, as Hong Kong were restricted to 91 runs in their first innings. Binod broke Raj Kumar Pradhan’s figure of 5/59 for the country’s record. This was third time in seven three-day matches that Binod took the five-wicket hauls, earlier being 5/61 against UAE in UAE and 5/75 against Hong Kong in Hong Kong. In those seven matches, Binod has taken 27 wickets.
After the washout on the first day, Binod won the all important toss and elected to bowl on the fresh pitch that gave fast bowlers plenty to movements. Rahul Shama became the first victim of Binod as he was caught behind by Manoj Vaishya the next ball he survived a confident appeal. Two balls later, he got counterpart Tim Smart caught at second slip by Paras Khadka.
On first ball of his fourth over, the most capped Nepali player got Adam Gunthrope caught behind. Kaniska Chaugai took a brilliant one-hand catch to dismiss Ilyas Gul the next ball. Binod’s hattrick plan was foiled by Manoj Cheruparambil. Cheruparambil also didn’t survive long as his found his stumps castled by Mehboob Alam after scoring three. Binod completed the five-wicket haul in 12th over as Paras Khadka took Tabarak Dar’s catch at the second slip.
Hong Kong’s total would have been much less if the tailenders hadn’t scored runs for them. Irfan Ahamad scored 11 runs including a six on mid-wicket off Binod before giving a catch to Paresh Lohani at gully. He was Binod’s sixth wicket. Nadeem Ahamed, the No 9, scored 12 off 15 balls with two fours before becoming the victim of leg-spinner Raj Kumar Pradhan who only bowled two overs.
It was partnership between Nasir Hameed and last man Khalid Khan that frustrated Nepali bowlers. They added 38 runs for last wicket before Hameed finally caught by Raj Kumar at long-on trying to hit a six off Dhirendra Chand – who also bowled well for his two wickets.
“The wicket was seaming, and there was a lot of movement,†Binod said about his bowling. “Winning the toss was important.†After Day II, Nepal has 5 bonus points while Hong Kong has 1.5.