Shakti Gauchan was dropped from the national squad during the ACC T20 Cup held in Kathmandu in December.
“I was bit upset to be dropped by then but I improved my form to make my comeback possible,” Gauchan had told Cricket.com.np before flying to the UAE to participate in the ICC World T20 Qualifiers.
As Gauchan scripted Nepal’s victory against Denmark on Wednesday taking four wickets including a hat-trick, he proved that he really has improved his form.
Shakti Gauchan celebrates in a footballer's style after taking hat-trick against Denmark in the ICC World T20 Qualifiers in the UAE. Photo: ICC
Gauchan gave the first breakthrough as he bowled Shehzad Ahmed in his first spell. Gauchan started his second spell in the 13th over of the innings. Paras Khadka caught Rizwan Mahmood off Gauchan in the second ball of the over. Then, Gauchan bowled Aftab Ahmed and trapped Kamran Mahmood lbw in the next two balls to complete hat-trick.
It is the first international hat-trick by Nepali bowler in men’s section in any form of the game.
“I never think about any records or stat while entering the ground. I knew it was the first international hat-trick by Nepali bowler only when our team manager Diwakar Ghale told me in the innings-break,” said Gauchan in a telephone conversation.
“The most important thing for me is the victory of my team. The hat-trick is just a cherry on cake,” he added.
Gauchan completed his bowling quota with a figure of 4-0-20-4. It is the third best bowling figure of Nepali bowler at the international level in the T20 format of the match.
Earlier, Dipendra Chaudhary had taken four wickets giving away 11 runs against Kuwait in ACC T20 Cup, 2009 and claimed four wickets against Oman giving away 19 runs in the same tournament.
“My family and well wishers supported me to make this comeback possible,” said Gauchan.
He also said that the entire team is focusing on the match againstPapua New Guinea now. Nepal is taking on PNG on Thursday.
“We have to continue the rhythm that we gained from the first two matches to beat PNG,” said Gauchan.
“It could be too early to talk about World Cup qualification. We just have to continue our rhythm and focused to win the next match against PNG,” he added.
“However, I have a dream of participating in World Cup like all my teammates have.”