Nepal progressed to the semifinal of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy 2006 defeating Bahrain by 25 runs at the Bayuemas Oval Ground here today. Nepal scored 200/9 in 50 overs – thanks to half-century by Gyanendra Malla and 49 by Shakti Gauchan, before restricting Bahrain for 175/9. Man of the match Basant Regmi took three wickets.
In 2004, Nepal had lost to Qatar in the quarterfinal and to Fiji by three runs in the World Cup Qualifying Series II last year in the same ground in the semifinal. This time too Bahrain gave a few moments of nervousness to Nepal before finally Nepal won the match to meet three-time champions UAE in Thursday’s semifinal.
“A satisfying victory,” captain Binod Das said. “It wasn’t the best we have played but anyway, a win is a win and I am fairly satisfied with the efforts of the boys.”
Put into bat, Nepal lost experienced opener Paresh Lohani (4) with just six runs on board. Sharad Vesawkar too didn’t stay long as scoring two in his 16-run partnership with Gyanendra Malla. It was Gyanendra and vice-captain Shakti Gauchan who shouldered the responsibility of batting.
They were slow but batted for 85 minutes partnering 76 runs before young Gyanendra went back stumped trying to push a run off Tahir Dar. He scored 57 runs in 90 balls with six fours. It was his third half-century in five matches.
Shakti, who took 12 balls to score his first run, batted slow but anchored the innings while the wickets kept felling at regular interval at other ends. Hard-hitting Mehboob Alam (7) and Paras Khadka (0) failed to contribute much but Basant Regmi gave Nepali camp a little relief with 28-run sixth-wicket partnership off which he scored 21. His knock included a four and the lone six of the innings.
Captain Binod Das (16) and wicket-keeper Manoj Vaishya (21 not out), who replaced ill Mahesh Chhetri, made a handy contributions as Nepal stepped on the 200-run mark at the end of the allotted overs.
“After losing two early wickets, Gyanendra and Shakti batted well,” Dias said. “Basant and Manoj too contributed runs at the lower order and that’s good for the team.”
In reply, Bahrain failed to get the start they would have wanted against one of the favorites of the event. Mehboob Alam rattled Mohd Ashraf Mughal’s stumps in the second ball of the innings and Binod got one next over as Manoj made a held an edged ball off Mohd Yaqoob.
But then onward, Abdul Waheed and Asgar Majeed played cautiously – defending and hitting out odd fours from pad. They partnered 63-runs before Waheed (12) fell to Paras Khadka. Binod caught him at short mid-wicket giving Nepal a much-needed breakthrough. Paras today bowled off-breaks instead of his usual seam bowling. He also got wicket of Majeed, who played well for his 47 off 73 balls, as Gyanendra held a catch at the long-on boundary.
Introduction of spinners, Shakti, Paras and Basant did the trick for Nepal as they dried up runs. Shakti though didn’t get any wickets gave away only 13 runs in 6 overs while Bsant gave away 23 runs in his 10.
The turning point of the game was 29th over when Basant Regmi took two wickets – both leg before, making it 86/6 for Bahrain. A over later he got his third – this time bowled and Bahrain were struggling at 90/7. It soon became clear that they won’t win when Raj Kumar Pradhan took one five runs later. The leg-spinner began with three maidens and bowled 10 overs for 33 runs.
From 95/8, Gayan DeSilva and Tahir Dar partnered 76 runs in just 59 balls to give scares to Nepal but it was already too late when they started slugging. Their efforts counted for 68 runs in last 10 overs and 49 runs in last four but it was already too late. They needed 33 runs in last over bowled by the captain and got only seven to lose by 25 runs.
“The most important thing is to win, and its always win that matters,” coach Roy Dias said. “On this wicket, its not easy to get 200 runs but I have expected better from the pacers.” Nepal will play UAE in the semifinal on Thursday.