Skipper Prithu Banskota led Nepal to a much improved performance in the second match of the Asian Corcket Council (ACC) U-15 Cup Cricket Tournament here at the Royal Selangor Cricket Ground against Hong Kong.
Prithu led the way for Nepal to score past 150 runs in the first innings that confirms Nepal one batting bonus points. Nepal ended the first innings after being put in by Hong Kong at 153/7 in the allotted 60 overs in the rain curtailed first day of the two-day match. Hong Kong has just began the first innings with two runs without any loss in three overs as only 63 overs of play was possible.
“This is a good improvement from the last game. They have a lot to learn and as they keep on playing matches they will definately put up a better show,†said relived Roy Dias who shoulders the onus of coaching the defending champion.
“It was difficult at the earlier part but i settled well as i got a start. I had never thought that I would make a half century for my country,†said the elated skipper who is playing his only second international match.
Nepal however had a disastrous start loosing opener Surendra Chand for naught but his opening partner Sagar Pun put his head down to make 25 runs, more importantly played 103 balls before he was out in the 36th over. Akash Pariyar once again was trapped leg before sweeping across the line for 10 promising runs as Nepal slumped to 14/2 in the 13th over.
Then came skipper and put up a gritty performance to bail Nepal out of yet another batting failure. He made 51 runs before being caught at leg slip off Mark Chapman. The 9th grader from Galaxy Public School hit four boundaries in his 120-ball innings. He shared a very important 59-run 3rd wicket stand with Sagar. Subendu Pandey replacing Binod Lama in the second match hit a four in his 8 runs that lasted for 24 deliveries.
Bibek Dali once again got run out trying a quick single for well made 12 runs followed by another run out of Krishna Karki who contirbuted 8 runs. Santosh Bhatta (9*) and Pradeep Airee (10*) ensured Nepal did not loose any more wickets inthe allotted 60 overs. “It was a really good of the boys to deny Hong Kong full bowling bonus points,†said Roy lauding Nepal’s batting. Hong Kong only got 3 bowling bonus points for taking seven wickets. Every two wickets give the bowling side one bonus points.
For Hong Kong Hiaz Ali came up with a 3-wicket taking wobling performance in his 14 overs that produced Nepal 27 runs. With more than twohours of playing time lost, Hong Kong only had three overs in their first innings as rain with thunderstorm interrupted the play in the last session. Hong Kong will resume the second day 2/0.
Nepal will try to bowl out Hong Kong cheaply in the second day to ensure it maintains the first innings lead which in case of a draw yields five bonus points. With just 90 overs of play remaining and two more innings to commence, Nepal would also want to earn as much bowling points as it can, maximum 5 for bowling the opponent all out, in the second day.
“I expect the seamers to get early break through tomorrow and the spinners to get through the Hong Kong middle order and the tail,†said Roy Dais. Krishna Karki who took seven wickets in the last match against Malaysia will be the key bowler for Nepal tomorrow while leg spinner Rochak Bhatta along with Subendu Pandey and Binek Dali will be the spinners for Nepal.