Nepal has suffered fourth consecutive defeat at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 qualifiers. Canada, who have been struggling at the tournament itself, defeated Nepal by 12 runs in the last match of the groups stage on Tuesday.
Gyanendra Malla´s 86 runs went in vain as Nepal was chasing a target of 256 runs, in its last match of the group stage at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch in New Zealand.
Nepal managed 243 for nine in the match reduced to 41 over-a-side due to rain. In its previous matches, Nepal was defeated by UAE, Scotland and Hong Kong in the 5-team group A.
Canada beat Nepal in a close finish at Hagley Oval on January 21, 2014 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: IDI/Getty Images
Nepal is already out of the race for a berth in the World Cup 2015, and will play playoff matches to determine its ranking.
Like in its previous matches, Nepal failed to get a good start, which was needed to overhaul a huge total. Nepal lost opener Sagar Pun for a nought. But other opener Pradeep Airee (26), in place of regular opener Anil Mandal, forged an 86-run partnership for the second wicket with Gyanendra anchoring Nepal´s hope.
Gyanendra scored nine boundaries in his knock of 97 balls forged a 32-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Paras Khadka (17) and 31 for the fourth wicket with Prithu Baskota (15). Gyanendra was caught in the penultimate ball of the 30th over by Hamza Tariq off Khurram Chohan.
Gyanendra Malla top scored for Nepal with 86 but failed to bring victory. Photo: IDI/Getty Images
Khurram Chohan claimed four Nepali wickets in his nine-over spell giving away 52 runs. Similarly, Jeremy Gordon, Cecil Pervez and Jimmy Hansra got one wicket each.
Sharad Vesawkar and Binod Bhandari contributed 17 runs each, Shakti Gauchan 15, while Basnata Regmi (25) and Sompal Kami (8) remained unbeaten. Nepal got 16 runs as extra.
Earlier, Raza-ur-Rehman contributed highest 89 off 87 for Canada before being run out by Prithu Baskota. The number five batsman smashed nine boundaries as Canada made 225 for 9. Raza shared 84 run stand for the fourth wicket with opener Nithes Kumar (67), the second highest scorer.
Nepali bowlers failed to restrict the Canadian batsman and runs flowed much too easily for Canada. Sompal Kami claimed three wickets for Nepal in his eight over spell giving away 64. Similarly, Basanta pocketed two wickets while Shakti and Sagar pocketed one wicket each.
Disappointment all around! Nepali fans at the group. Photo: IDI/Getty Images
Disappointed Nepal captain Paras Khadka said his team pushed hard for the win but had not been consistent enough. “Things really haven’t gone well for us. We came to New Zealand really well prepared but we haven’t executed our plans and we haven’t played anywhere near to our potential.”
“We need to show more consistency. We want to stay as highly ranked as possible, so we will continue to push ourselves in the remaining matches in the tournament,” he said.