Lifted by Sompal Kami’s first five wicket haul and Mehaboob Alam’s half century, Nepal defeated Malaysia by five wickets in the ACC Premier League on Friday at the Bayuemas Cricket Stadium, Malaysia.
This was second win for Nepal in as many matches at the tournament. Nepal had defeated ODI nation United Arab Emirates on Thursday. Two wins has consolidated Nepal’s chances of qualifying for the ACC Championship—the first two day championship to be organized by Asian Cricket Council in December—where top four teams from the current tournament will be selected.
Sompal restricted Malaysia from posting a good total by picking up three early wickets. He came back and added two more later. The hosts were restricted to 149 run in 43 overs, after opting to bat first. Sompal gave away 47 runs in his 10 overs haul while Basanta Regmi claimed two wickets.
Sompal Kami bagged his first 5-wicket haul, against Malaysia on Friday.
Photo: ICC
Anwar Arudin scored highest 34 runs for Malaysia as Shafiq Sharif (24 off 46) and Suharril Fetri (22 off 81) gave some weight to Malaysian total.
In reply, Nepal started poorly losing opener Subash Khakurel for duck in the very first over. Naresh Budayair (8), Gyanendra Malla (13) and Paras Khadka (11) also failed to perform with bat. As Malaysian veteran Suresh Navrathnam took 3 wickets, Nepal was reeling at 36 for 4, when Mehboob came in to Nepal’s rescue. Such was his dominance at one point that he had scored 33 off 20 deliveries. He managed 53 (8 boundaries) off 71, before getting run out. He forged 89 run fifth wicket partnership with Sharad Vesawkar (29 off 73). Binod Bhandari came in after his fall and managed 25-run unbeaten partnership with Sharad to drive Nepal home, with 75 balls to spare.
Nepal will take on Oman in its third match on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan managed a thumping win against UAE today. Put in to bat, Afghanistan were 172 for 4 at the 40-over mark, due to half-centuries by their openers Noor Ali Zadran and Usman Ghani. After that Mohammad Nabi and Samiullah Shenwari scored 116 runs in the last eight overs to lift the total over 300. It included 11 fours and seven sixes. UAE reply was solid as the openers added 70. Amjad Ali went on to score 98 to keep them in the chase. But after his dismissal, Afghanistan romped UAE by 70 runs. Rahmat Shah picked up five wickets for Afghanistan.
Oman won their second match in a row, beating Hong Kong by nine runs in a low-scoring encounter at the Selangor Turf Club. Despite being at 57 for 6 in the 21st over, Oman reached 143 thanks to 30s from No. 8 Sultan Ahmed and No. 9 Amir Ali. Hong Kong’s top order batted as badly, and were 25 for 4 in the eighth over. Hong Kong late order tried to win the match as well, with No. 7 Ankur Sharma and No. 9 Haseeb Amjad getting in 30s. Yet Oman defeated Hong Kong by 9 runs.