Malaysia 132/10, Nepal in Strong Position

Nepal’s hopes of defeating Malaysia in the last match of the ACC Fast Track Countries Tournament get a huge boost today as they bowled out the visitors in 132 in the first innings. In reply, Nepal made 114 for four at the stumps.

Shakti Gauchan and aggressive Mehboob Alam were at the crease when the bad light stopped the first day’s play a little earlier than scheduled. At the end of the first day, Nepal has earned 7 points while Malaysia has 4.5.

Nepali seam bowlers utilized the early morning moisture and the swing it generates and dominated the Malaysian batsmen. Malaysia started cautiously and tried to save wickets. They were successful until Rohan Selvaratnam (9) misread the line of Binod Das’ ball. Rohan left an inswinger and saw his off-stump going down.

Somerset player Arul Vivasan Suppiah (5) joined Rakesh Madhavan and showed no interest in run-making. In six overs, they just made 7 runs and that was end of Arul. He sliced Binod and Paresh took a brilliant low catch at gully.

It was then Mehboob took the lead. Rakesh (5) edged to Manoj Katuwal, who returned to national team after long layoff, and caught Shanker Retnam (4) plumb in front the stumps.

Another seamer in the team, Dhirendra bowled his hearts out replacing Binod and got the results. He took three – one after another and made it 87/7. His victims were Esrafiq Abdul Aziz (13), S Mutthuraman (16) and Rohan Vishu Suppiah (11).

When the Malaysian scorecard looked like reading a phone number, M Krishnamurathi had some others ideas. The No 7 batsman played 100 deliveries and played with ease. He scored 49 with six fours and when he looked like reaching his deserved half-century after 25-run partnership with last man Manrick Singh (4), he was adjudged leg before off Binod.

Krishnamurathi was the last man out and before that Sanjam Regmi and Raj Kumar Pradhan both struck in their first overs to remove Suresh Navaratnam and M Muniandy respectively. Suresh, who hit two fours to Sanjam, was trapped in the last ball of the over.

Paresh Lohani (35) and Kaniska Chaugai (26) shared a 66-run opening partnership to put Nepal on a better foundation. Paresh, the only Nepali batsman to score over 500 runs in three-dayers, got 35 before trying to play Rohan on the on-side and finding a fielder at short-leg. Kaniska, who was dropped at slip when he was on 11, went on same score edging to first slip off Manrick Singh.

Manrick also bowled Sarad Vesawkar for naught. Sarad completely missed a leg-stump delivery. Paras Khadka scored 17 before failing to Arul.

The Coaches’ Reactions

“It was good toss to win,” Nepali coach Roy Dias said. “I am impressed with bowling and fielding and the bowlers did the good use of conditions and did the basics.”

“Batting is still a big task,” he added. “After good start, we needlessly lost three wickets.”

“I am hoping that Mehboob and Shakti will bat through the first hour tomorrow and then we will decide on our plans. The first hour is very important.”

Malaysian coach Michael John Bailey was impressed with Nepali bowling. “Nepal did well,” he said. “But in last session, we returned to game taking wickets and drying up runs.”

When asked about his team’s dismal batting performance, he said: “I give full credit to Nepali bowlers, they made good use of moisture.”

“Its absolutely amazing and unbelievable to play on the backdrops of mountains,” Bailey who is visiting Nepal for the first time said about the ground.