Nepal beats Malaysia by 8 runs

Nepal survived a spirited Malaysian run-chase to set a date with Afghanistan for the ACC Trophy Elite 2010 title with an eight-run victory at Hubara, Kuwait.

Nepal displayed some good batting performance to scored 271/6 in 50 overs. Malaysia reached within a touching distance of it, before falling out on 263 in 49.4 overs.

Suresh Navaratnam scored a century leading the run-chase but that was only enough to earn him man of the match award. The end-result meant the brilliant performance of the 1998 finalist came to an end.

Malaysia suffered an early blow losing opener Damith Warusavithana on the first ball of the innings and then Ahman Faiz the next over to Paras Khadka.

From 1/2, captain Suhan Kumar took the charge. He added 44 with veteran Rakesh Madhavan (7) and 82 with Navaratnam to repair the damage.

Both Madhavan and Kumar fell to off-spinner Sanjam Regmi, albeit in long distance. Kumar got 70 off 89 deliveries with six fours.

Shakti Gauchan and Rahuk BK took a wicket each as Malaysia went down to 127/3 to 146/6 and Nepal sensing the victory.

But Navaratnam and lower order had other thoughts. Hassan Ghulam got 19 off just 16 balls with two sixes before Basant Regmi undid him.

Wicket-keeper Shafiq Sharif was more aggressive hitting out 31 off 18 balls with five fours and his partnership with Navaratnam yielding 82 runs in no time.

Navaratnam played a few shots himself to reach the century but he was out a little earlier. Paras took his wicket when he was at 115 off 103 balls. He hit six four and three sixes in his praiseworthy knock.

In last over, Malaysia needed 14 for victory. Two runs later, Sharif was run out and Basant grabbed the last wicket to end the things in Nepal’s favor.

Earlier, Malaysia invited Nepal to bat first on the flat wickets. Anil Mandal (4) went early but Mahesh Chhetri and Shakti Gauchan partnered 87 runs for second wicket to build a foundation for big score.

Chhetri was out on 43 off 86 balls while Shakti completed his fourth half-century for the national team before S Yusof got rid of him. Shakti made 52 off 57 balls with four boundaries.

Captain Paras has been out-of-form in the event and that continued as he could only add couple of runs as Nepal went down to 120/4 from 98/1.

Vice-captain Gyanendra Malla and Sharad Vesawkar then did the wonders. While Gyanendra played a role of quiet partner, Sharad played with dominance and skills of a perfect batsman.

Sharad reached his half-century with a boundary while Gyanendra missed the landmark by a run after he was bowled by Navaratnam on 49 off 61 balls.

Sharad deserved a century but was three-runs short unbeaten when the match ended. Sharad’s 97 not out was made in 66 balls with 10 fours and a six. Dipendra Chaudhary contributed 14 runs.

This is the second instance Nepal has reached the final of the ACC Trophy. In 2002, it reached the final defeating Malaysia in the semifinal by 25 runs but lost to UAE in the title clash.