Sharad Vesawkar, when on form, knows how to win matches. It was evident in Nepal’s first win in the ICC World Cricket League Championship at the TU Cricket Ground, Kathmandu on April 16 against Namibia in front of the sold-out crowd.
Sharad earned the accolades as the finisher when his hard-hitting was crucial when Nepal qualified for the first-ever ICC World T20 in 2014; and on Saturday, he played a patient knock to take Nepal to the five-wicket victory chasing Namibia’s 195 for 9.
Sharad hit the winning four to complete his half-century.
Sharad fittingly hit a four off JJ Smit’s first ball of 49th over to finish the match at 50* off 99 balls. His half-century is second in the tournament when with 200 runs in 5 innings he is now second highest run scorer behind UAE’s Shaiman Anwar (276 runs in 6 matches).
Binod Bhandari was at 40 not out and played a crucial role in the unbeaten partnership of 84 runs for sixth wicket. More than that, it was Binod who hit 3 sixes in space of 11 balls to ease the pressure when it looked like Namibian bowlers will pip Nepali batsmen to take away the match.
Sharad came in when a slow yet steady start given by Naresh Budayair and Gyanendra Malla was broken in 12th over as the vice-captain was bowled for 21. Naresh too didn’t stay long and got out on 16 leaving Paras and Sharad to move the innings.
Paras was bowled on 21 and U19 captain Raju Rijal – making his senior debut – mistimed a big hit; and Raju Pulami Magar could only manage 9 off 22 balls leaving Nepal at shaky position with 113/5 on board.
TU Cricket Ground was jam-packed.
Earlier, pacer Sompal Kami took 2/47 and left-arm orthodox Basanta Regmi took 3/40 to restrict Namibia to a modest total on the pitch that offered a lot of turn to the spinner. Namibia’s top five batsmen got the start but failed to build after captain Stephan Baard opted to bat.
The visitors got a flying start scoring 25 off first two overs before Sompal got Baard in third over on 18. Zane Green fell in seventh over to Sompal on 14. Pikky Ya France (26) and Gerhard Erasmus (25) scored freely but quick strikes in the middle overs and spinners put brakes on scores. They lost three wickets for seven runs to go 109/6 from 75/2.
Sarel Burger scored 38 off 77 balls helping Namibia to go beyond 150-mark and Smit with his 26 off 22 balls steered the team to a tricky total. They scored 37 off last 4 overs with Sompal going for 15 runs in last over. Paras Khadka (1/34) and debutant young leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (1/37) also took wicket while Shakti Gauchan bowled tight 10 overs to finish 0/28.
The Winner’s Selfie!
Captain Paras praised Sharad and Binod for their batting. “It’s the first victory. Sharad and Binod showed good application on the pitch where batting was not easy. All contributed when needed and overall, I’m very happy,” he said.
Brief Scores: Namibia 195 for 9 in 50 overs (S Burger 38, HN Ya France 26, JJ Smit 26, MG Erasmus 25, G Snyman 23, Basanta 3/40, Sompal 2/47, Paras 1/34, Sandeep 1/37) lost to Nepal 197 for 5 in 48.1 overs (Sharad 50*, Binod 40*, Paras 21, Gyanendra 21, S Burger 2/22, G Snyman 2/26) by 5 wickets.