Nepal pulled off a miraculous six-wicket victory over Kenya with two balls to spare on Saturday in a thrilling encounter of the ICC World T20 Qualifiers held in Dubai, UAE. It was the second victory in a row for Nepal from as many matches played.
Chasing a mammoth target of 183 runs, Sharad Vesawkar smashed 23 runs off six deliveries including three sixes and a double in the last over. Nepal required 17 runs for victory in the last over and Vesawkar — who was guilty of giving away 30 runs in a single over during Nepal’s bowling — earned 20 off four deliveries.
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The final over! Video by ICC.
Besides Vesawakar, skipper Paras Khadka and opener Subash Khakurel contributed vital 54 runs each in the run chase. Khadka remained unbeaten along with Vesawkar. It was the first ever limited over match for Nepal with two batsmen reaching half centuries. Similarly, it was the sixth half century for Khadka.
Gyanendra Malla (32 off 22) and Binod Bhandari (12 off 8) also played responsible knock. Opener Pradeep Airee (1) was the only batsman for Nepal who failed to reach double figure.
The run chase looked almost impossible when Khadka, coming in at number 4, took the charge after fall of Malla at 83 in 10.3 overs. The score was 92 after the end of 12th over. Malla put up a partnership of 77 runs with opener Khakurel for the second wicket. Malla hit six boundaries before being stumped by wicket keeper Morris Ouma.
Khadka quick-fired four sixes and three boundaries in his knock of 31 balls while Khakurel cracked six boundaries facing 48 balls. Nepal scored 22 runs in the 18th over with resolute Khadka earning 19 runs that included three sixes.
Elijah Otieno was the most expensive bowler for Kenya giving away 44 runs in his four over spell. Nehemiah Odhiambo gave away 40 runs in his four over spell claiming one wicket. Ragheb Aga gave away 38 runs and Hiran Varaiya gave 36 runs to Nepal.
Earlier, put in to bat first, Kenya could not start brightly and it was tottering at 4/32. But the number six batsman Rakep Patel (103) earned a century to set a mammoth target for Nepal. He quick-fired 10 sixes and five fours in his 45-ball innings. He was bowled out by skipper Khadka in the last ball of 17th over. Patel also set a record of becoming first batsman to score century against Nepal.
Kenyan Morris Ouma (37 off 37) opener Steve Tikolo (11 off 6) and Shem Ngoche (not out 10 off 4) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
Earlier, Vesawkar became the most expensive bowler giving away 30 runs in the 17th over, the only over he bowled. Sagar Pun conceded 37 runs in his three over spell. Jeetendra Mukhiaya and Basanta Regmi pocketed two wickets each in their four over spell. Mukhiya gave away 31 and Regmi 34 runs.
Nepal will take on Scotland in the third match on Monday.