Kenya is far better experienced in international cricket than Nepal – and although they’re not performing to their name, they showed they could emerge out of trouble to register victory on Saturday.
Chasing Nepal’s 265/9, Kenya were lost 7 wickets with 171 runs on board, but unbeaten quickfire knock from Thomos Odoyo building on knocks of Maurice Ouma, Irfan Karim and Steve Tikolo ensured their one-wicket win with just one ball remaining.
For a fitting conclusion of his knock, Odoyo, who has already played 134 ODIs, hit a four off Sompal Kami’s fifth ball of last over sealing the win. He scored 66 off 44 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
His innings provided relief to Ouma, who played patiently for run-a-ball 73 but got out with his team needing 22 runs for victory. Veteran Steve Tikolo has hit 29 to accelerate Kenya’s innings after a slow start that saw them lose frequent wickets.
Opener Karim hit 44 off 70 balls to get scoreboard ticking in Kenya’s innings that saw left-arm spinner Shakti Gauchan come in as new-ball partner to Sompal Kami and walk away with 4 wickets in 10 overs giving away 28 runs.
Sagar Pun took 3 wickets and Basant Regmi took 1 wicket with their spin but pace bowlers were hammered. Sompal went for 86 runs in in 9.5 overs while Jitendra Mukhiya gave away 67 runs for a wicket in his 10 overs.
Earlier, opener Anil Mandal hit a half-century as Nepal scored a respectable total with contributions coming in from Binod Bhandari (48), Pradeep Airee (42), Basant (23*), Sarad Vesawkar (23) and Prithu Baskota (21).
Regular opener Subash Khakurel and captain Paras Khadka didn’t participate in the action in the match that was 14-player a side with 11 fielding and 11 batting.
After two loses in nail-biting finishes in practice matches, Nepal will take on UAE on Monday, when the tournament gets underway.
Brief Scorecard: Nepal 265 for 8 in 50 overs (Anil Mandal 62; Binod Bhandari 48, Pradeep Airee 42; Elijah Otieno 2-40, Nehemiah Odhiambo 2-52) lost to Kenya 269 for 9 in 49.5 overs (Maurice Ouma 73, Thomas Odoyo 66, Irfan Karim 44, Steve Tikolo 29; Shakti Gauchan 4-28, Sagar Pun 3-39) by 1 wicket.