Nepal with the WCL Div 3 Trophy! Photo: ICC
Nepal achieved the biggest success in its cricket history on Sunday when it lifted the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 title in Bermuda.
The five-wicket victory over Uganda in the final – thanks to half-centuries by Pradeep Airee and Sharad Vesawkar after a tight bowling performance – will go down in history books as one of the most amazing victory Nepal has achieved so far.
Chasing 151 for the title against a team that had earlier in the league round bowled Nepal out for mere 116, Nepal knocked the required runs with more than 10 overs remaining – the four by Sharad in second ball of 40th over ensured his half-century and the win.
As both the finalists have already been promoted to Division 2 and the World Cup 2015 Qualifiers to be held in New Zealand next year, the final was match was an issue of pride where Nepal prevailed.
USA beat Bermuda – something that if they had done a day earlier would have put Nepal fighting for the third-place playoff – to take third position and remain in Division 3. Oman overcome Italy in the battle of relegated teams.
At the National Stadium Hamilton, Uganda won the toss and elected to bat but was pushed on back foot by some tight bowling. Nepal made no change in the squad that had thrashed Italy a day earlier, meaning the specialist pacers were not included and captain Paras Khadka opened the bowling.
After bowling a couple of tight overs, Paras got opener Kyobe. They batted at a very slow pace hitting 18 runs in 10 overs. They didn’t accelerate until a last few overs and were constantly put under pressure by frequent wickets.
Their best over was the last bowled by Sanjam Regmi in which they hit 19 runs with a couple of sixes and a four.
Basant Regmi and Rahul Vishwakarma each grabbed a couple of wickets while Shakti Gauchan and Prithu Baskota also claimed one each.
Some fun! Photo: ICC
In reply, Nepal didn’t begin well losing early three key wickets – Subash Khakurel (4), Gyanendra Malla (5) and Paras Khadka (1) were all out early making it 30/3 in 11th over.
Pradeep and Sharad then rescued Nepal’s innings with a patient batting and added 77 runs to take Nepal out of the danger. Pradeep was out with 60 off 95 balls.
Binod Bhandari hit a four and was out for 5 making it 113/5 in 31st over. Young Prithu Baskota and Sharad then added required runs without further damage. Prithu hit 24 off 19 balls.
Surrounded by a small group of jubilant fans, elated Nepal captain Paras Khadka said the win was unbelievable.
“We worked really hard for it. And having lost the first couple of games no one gave us an outright chance but we still believed in ourselves and our ability. Everything worked in our favor and, as they say, fortune favors the brave. I feel glad. We have reached where we always wanted to, and now it is a matter of preparing ourselves even better. If we prepare really well, things are looking in good shape for us.”
With the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier only eight months away, the skipper says his side will remain focused. “Before the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, we have the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in November in Dubai and that’s an equally important tournament.
“I think preparation-wise, we have to have a strategic plan from now on because it is a big step – one more step and you are in the ICC Cricket World Cup. So we have to think in that perspective and hopefully, if we can get things right back home, and play against good teams and quality opponents, that’s how you develop as a player and prepare.”
Disappointed Uganda captain Davis Arinaitwe was still proud of his side’s achievements. “Qualifying for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier was our primary objective when we got here, we first put our sights on trying to qualify for that tournament, so I felt that for us, that is an achievement that we can take back home.
“Ideally, I would have liked to finish the tournament on a high and pick up the final trophy of the whole tournament, and leave this beautiful island as WCL winners. But on this day I thought we were not lucky in the field. I thought the Nepal batsmen batted pretty well.”