Nepal Enters Plate Semi

By Devendra Subedi, Colombo

Heroes are those who perform when required; and young Gyanendra Malla surely was one as he played a match-winning knock of 64 runs after the dependable top order failed against Uganda today in the Plate Championship quarterfinal of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.

Gyanendra, along with left-hander Basanta Regmi, resurrected Nepal to a defendable 192/9 at the P Saramutu Stadium helping Nepal to a 60-run victory. Uganda was bowled out for 132 runs in 44.3 overs.

Although skipper Kanishka Chaugai failed to repeat earlier performances and scored just six runs, he became the first Nepali cricketer to score 1,000 runs for Under-19 team. He now has 1,005 runs from 35 matches at an average of 27.66.

Kanishka nicked a leg side delivery while Sharad Vesawkar lobbed one to a lone midwicket fielder as Nepal went down to 18/2. Gyanendra entered and made batting look much easier. “I had to stay for a long time as our top order was gone,” the youngster said. “I decided not to throw away my wicket and stay patiently.”

Mahesh Chhetri was out after getting 17 off 44 deliveries but his dismissal followed by those of vice-captain Paras Khadka (0) and Prem Chaudhary (6) put Nepal into danger of getting out below 150.

But the Bhairahawa-all-rounder Basanta proved his capability with the bat partnering Gyanendra for 48 runs. Gyanendra’s 122-ball knock laced with seven fours came to an end after off-spinner R Otim bowled him. Basanta gave the finishing touch with unbeaten 42 runs that included four boundaries. He played innovatively with support from the tail-enders.

The African qualifier, that came into the match with three heavy losses, began the run-chase with a bang hammering wayward pacers. The opening bowlers were hit out of the attack in just five overs. Uganda was going at six runs per over when Kanishka brought Raj Shrestha who changed the composition of the match. He bowled eight overs giving away just five runs for a wicket.

Once skipper Hamza Almuzahim was run out for 24, Nepal broke through with tight fielding and superb spin bowling from Raj, Ratan Rauniyar, super-sub Sashi Keshari and Basanta. Even Paras Khadka bowled off spin after bowling medium for two overs.

Wicketkeeper Mahesh had five dismissals with four stumpings and a catch. Sashi and Mahesh worked out three of the Uganda tail-enders as Uganda was bundled out for 132 runs.

“Gyanendra played a very good knock,” Nepal’s coach Roy Dias said. “In fact, the middle order played well today including Basanta. In the second innings, spinners, especially Raj, pulled it off.”

“We won because of Gyanendra and Basanta’s batting and spinners backed by tight fielding,” Kanishka said. Nepal faces South Africa in the Plate Championship semifinal on Thursday.