Nepal began its ICC World T20 campaign in a fairytale mode with a resounding 80-run win over Hong Kong, in the event that began on Sunday, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong.
Good batting, followed by brilliant bowling display from the Nepali team avenged the 10-wicket defeat suffered during the World Cup Qualifiers in January in New Zealand.
Put in to bat first, after losing the toss, Nepal posted a competitive target of 150 runs and bowled out Hong Kong for 69 runs with three overs to spare.
Basant Regmi exalted after claiming a wicket against Hong Kong in World T20 match on 16 March, 2014.
Photo courtesy: ICC
Vice captain Gyanendra Malla and captain Paras Khadka showed sparks with the bat and later Paras took the key wicket of Hong Kong opener Irfan Ahmed in the very first ball of the innings. Left arm spinner Shakti Gauchan, man-of-the-match, claimed three wickets in his miserly 4-over spell, where he gave away 9 runs. Basanta Regmi pocketed three wickets as well.
‘The openers gave us the solid start and bowlers, especially, Shakti and Basanta, fulfilled their duty perfectly at right time. “This is all due to amazing team effort,” skipper Paras said at the post match conference. “It’s Holi, the festival of colors back home today and its our gift to the nation,” shared Paras.
Unlike in warm-up matches, Nepali openers Subash Khakurel (22) and Sagar Pun (13) came up with a partnership of 36 runs for the first wicket before Sagar was caught by Waqas Barkat. Subash too failed to contribute to the total of 36 handing over the batting responsibility to Gyanendra and Paras. In the power play, Nepal had managed to score 44 runs for the fall of two wickets.
Gyanendra scored the highest 48 runs and Paras contributed 41 runs. The duo shared 80 run stand for the third wicket.
Paras smashed four fours in his knock of 37 balls before he was caught in 16.2 over at the long-on by Nizakat Khan off Najeeb Amar. Gyanendra cracked a six and four fours in his knock of 41- balls before being caught and bowled by Haseeb Amjad.
Soon after Paras scored his 14 runs in the match, he also became the first player from Nepal to reach 500 runs in T20 (recognized by ICC).
Sharad Vesawkar contributed 14 runs. Nepal that lost four wickets in the last over with three batsmen being out for duck. Haseeb Amjad claimed three wickets for Hong Kong followed by two wickets of Nadeem Ahmed.
Hong Kong received an early blow in its run chase, when its reliable opener Irfan Ahmed was caught behind by Subash Khakurel off Paras in the very first ball. Hong Kong woes increased in the last ball of second over when its skipper Jamie Atkinson was bowled.
Basanta and Shakti dashed Hong Kong’s hope further after they claimed two wickets apiece in the 11th and 12th over respectively. Basanta conceded 14 runs in his four overs.
Shakti Gauchan celebrates his wicket during Nepal Vs Hong Kong match at World T20 on Sunday, 16 March, 2014.
Photo courtesy: ICC
Hong Kong’s opener Waqas Barkat (18), Babar Hayat (20) and Mark Chapman (13) were the only batsmen to reach double digits. Four Hong Kong batsmen were out for without scoring. Haseeb Amjad remained unbeaten on four runs.
Hong Kong’s captain Jamie Atkinson opined that batting failure cost his side dearly. “Batting failure cost us and it was best game for us and Nepal as well. Nepal is good side and proved good today.”