Ansari’s century guides Central for victory

Posted on February 20, 2012 by cricketnepal

Hasim Ansari’s century knock guided Central Region for a 98-run victory over Mid-Western Region in the Indian Ambassador’s Cricket Cup T20 Tournament on Monday at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur.

Batting first, Central Region posted huge total of 199 runs off 20 overs with the fall of four wickets and restricted Mid-Western in just 101 runs. With the win, Central Region has boosted its chances to qualify for the final spot.

Ansari’s century is the second in the tournament following Subash Khakurel’s century for APF against Central Region. Ansari faced 65 balls to complete his century in the tournament. Ansari banged nine boundaries and four huge sixes for the century knock.

Another opener Shiva Tandukar scored 49 runs off 36 balls with six boundaries and a huge six. Tandukar and Ansari shared a 107-run partnership for the first wicket. Binod Das scored quick-fire 29 runs off 13 balls with three boundaries and two huge sixes.

Navin Shahi, Nasir Ansari, Yogesh Bam. Siddhartha Raj Shahi and Anupam Singh shared a wicket apiece for Mid-Western.

Chasing the huge total of 200 runs, Mid-Western could manage to score 101 runs losing all the wickets in 20 overs. Rupesh Sharma was the highest scorer with 39 runs off 34 balls with six boundaries. Nasir Ansari was not out in 13 runs off 10 balls with a six.

Rajesh Pulami grabbed three wickets while Sandip Poudel and Binod Das shared two wickets each. Rupesh Shrivastav, Pramod Basnet and Naresh Raj Giri shared a wicket each.

Eastern Region out of tournament

In the first match of the day, Far-Western Region beat Eastern Region by 66 runs. With the defeat, Eastern Region is out of the tournament.

Winning the toss, Far-Western opted to bat first and scored 145 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Opener Prashant Bist scored 30 runs off 29 balls with two boundaries and a six. Santosh Bhatt scored 26 runs while Binod Bhandari scored 23 runs.

Manjeet Shrestha, Manoj Dahal, Amit Dahal, Santosh Baral and Puspa Thapa grabbed a wicket apiece.

Chasing the total of 146 runs, Eastern could manage to score 79 runs losing all the wickets in 20 overs. Bibek Khatiwada was unbeaten on 14 runs while Amal Das scored 11 runs. Prem Budal and Sunil Tamang grabbed two wickets each while Santosh Bhatta, Bhuwan Karki and Keshar Khadka shared a wicket apiece.

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Khakurel ton seals win for APF

Posted on February 20, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) and Western Region started the Indian Ambassador Cricket Cup T20 Tournament in winning notes on Sunday. APF defeated Central Region by 88 runs while Western Region thrashed Eastern Region by 122 runs.

A century-knock from Subash Khakurel and a half century from Paresh Lohani guided APF for the total of 199 runs in allotted 20 overs losing only a wicket. Lohani and Khakurel shared a 187-run partnership for the first wicket. Lohani completed his 50 runs in 35 balls while Khakurel was not out on century in just 66 balls.

Lohani struck eight boundaries and four huge sixes for his half century while Khakurel hit nine boundaries and four sixes. Mehboob Alam was not out with 11 runs off five balls. Avinash Karna grabbed a wicket for Central Region.

In chasing the total of 200 runs, Central Region could manage to score 111 runs in 20 overs losing eight wickets. Binod Das was unbeaten with 43 runs off 53 balls. Rajesh Pulami scored 26 runs off 25 balls. Mehaboob Alam grabbed two wickets while Shakti Gauchan, Paras Khadka, Basanta Regmi and Sunam Gautam shared a wicket each.

Gupta shines for Western Region

Earlier, in the inaugural match of the tournament, quick-fire knock of 93 runs from Aakash Gupta guided Western Region for a total of 212 runs for the loss of six wickets. Man-of-the-match Gupta scored 93 runs off just 29 balls with five boundaries and 11 sixes.

Dipesh Khatri scored 43 runs off 30 balls that included three boundaries and as many sixes. Khatri and Gupta shared a 133-run partnership for the fifth wickets. Sagar Pun scored 24 runs off 18 balls and Fazlur Rehman scored 17 runs off 14 balls. Hari Chaulagai and Puspa Thapa shared two wickets each while Manjeet Shretha and Amit Dahal grabbed a wicket each.

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Govt to award U-19 Women’s cricket team

Posted on February 17, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal Government announced cash incentive of Rs 200,000 each to the team members of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship winning cricket team on Thursday.

Minister for Physical Planning and Works Hridayesh Tripathi informed reporters about the decision after Thursday’s meeting of Council of Ministers.

Nepali U-19 Women’s team had lifted the title of the championship on Friday after defeating Thailand by six wickets in the final held in Kuwait.

“It is a huge honor for me and all of my teammates as we all are from middle-class family,” said Nepali Captain Rubina Chhetri. “This award recognizes our achievement and inspires financially deprived players to seek crecketing career,” she added.

The cash incentive will be given to all the 14 members of tehe team and to coach Nabin Singh.

Nepal Government had awarded all the members of then U-19 Women’s team with Rs 100,000 in 2010, when they had won the title of the second edition of championship.

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Shakti, Paresh recalled in national squad

Posted on February 15, 2012 by cricketnepal

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced final 14 players on Wednesday for the ICC World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the UAE from March 13 to 23.

The CAN recalled spinner Shakti Gauchan and opening batsman Paresh Lohani into the national squad.

Lohani had pulled out his name from the team for the Pepsi World Cricket League Division 5 held in Kathmandu in February 2010 citing personal reasons. Lohani hadn’t featured in the national team ever since. Gauchan was dropped from the national squad during the Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 and ACC T20 Cup held in Kathmandu on last December.

Meanwhile, opener Subash Khakurel, batsman Binod Bhandari, pace bowler Abinash Karna and spinner Rahul BK are considered only as reserve players.

The 14-member squad under the captaincy of Paras Khadka includes Gyanendra Malla as vice-captain.

Pace bowler Chandra Saud and Krishna Karki are the two new faces in the national squad.

Likewise, Sharad Vesawkar, Prithu Baskota, Mehboob Alam, Anil Kumar Mandal, Sanjam Regmi, Amrit Bhattarai, Basant Regmi, Pradeep Airee are also in the team.

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CAN, Wai-Wai reward U-19 women’s team

Posted on February 13, 2012 by cricketnepal

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) felicitated and awarded cash incentives on Sunday to all the members of Nepali U-19 Women’s cricket team, which lifted the title of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship held in Kuwait on Friday for the third time in a row.

The CAN awarded Rs 20,000 each to all the 14 players, a coach and two managers on Sunday amidst a function in the capital. Minister for Youth and Sports Kamala Roka, secretary at the ministry Sushil Ghimire and National Sports Council (NSC) Member Secretary Yuvaraj Lama handed over the prizes to the team members.

Meanwhile, Wai-Wai, the instant noodles product of Chaudhary Group and the sponsor of the team, awarded Rs 51,000 to the winning team in the same function.  CG Foods General Manager Sajjan Devkota handed over the check to the team Captain Rubina Chhetri and Manager Keshav Ghimire.

Speaking at the function, Minister Roka said that the government would continue the tradition of rewarding cricketers this time also. Though Roka didn’t disclose the cash amount, she confirmed that it would not be less than previous occasion.

Nepal Government had rewarded a cash prize of Rs 100,000 to each member of the U-19 women’s team, which had won the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship in 2010. “We’ll not violate the tradition of rewarding players,” said Minister Roka.

Minister Roka said that every other sports association should also think about encouraging women’s in their respective sports.

NSC Member Secretary Lama said that the result of ACC U-19 Women’s Championship has once again established the scope of cricket in the country. He urged that the CAN and other sports associations should encourage women not only for playing but also to take official responsibilities.

The CAN President Tanka Aangbuhang said that the hat-trick title victory is an appropriate answer from little girls to the patriarchal society of Nepal. Aangbuhang asked the government to reward Rs 200,000 to each member of the winning team and handed over request letter to Minister Roka and NSC Member Secretary Lama.

Representative of sponsor CG Foods, Lalbabu Prasad, applauded the U-19 women’s team and gave his best wishes to maintain the winning streak in future.

Speaking on the function, team captain Rubina Chhetri said that her team was under pressure as they had to defend the title. “We had only three experienced players and we were there to defend the title. We were under pressure but every time we came out of it as our coach Nabin Singh used to come up with good and perfect strategies,” said Chhetri.

Players ask for scholarship

At the end of the function, player Sonu Khadka, speaking on behalf of all her teammates asked sports authorities and the CAN officials to provide them scholarship to pursue school and higher education.

“We have to take leave from our school to participate in cricket tournaments. Meanwhile, our parents urge us to concentrate on study. We all are not from well-to-do families,” said Khadka. “If you people can manage us scholarship on sports-friendly schools and colleges, it will at least console our parents,” she added.

Replying to Khadka, the CAN General Secretary Ashok Nath Pyakuryal said that players raised the issue in a proper forum, where all the concerned sports authorities were present. “From our (the CAN) side, we’ll try to address your request,” said Pyakuryal.

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Nepal suffer consecutive defeats

Posted on February 13, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal suffered second consecutive defeat in their Mumbai tour on Sunday as Bhiwanadi Taluka Cricket Association pulled a 35-run victory over touring team in a T20 match.

The home team won the toss and elected to bat first. Parag Pagedar scored 42 runs off 28 balls to guide Bhiwanadi to a total of 161 runs losing five wickets. Krishna Karki and Sanjam Regmi took two wickets each while Nepali captain Paras Khadka claimed a wicket. Shekhar Darli (36 runs) and Nikhil Shetty (35 runs) were the other major contributors for Bhiwanadi Taluka.

In reply, Nepal was all out for 126 runs in 18.4 overs. Prithu Baskota, who took four caches in the match, was the top-scorer in Nepali side. Baskota scored 32 runs of 16 balls.

Paras Khadka (19 runs), Anil Mandal (18 runs), Sharad Vesawkar (18 runs) and Gyanendra Malla (16 runs) were the other contributors for Nepali team. Sait Shaikh took four wickets for Bhiwanadi Taluka while Suresh Paradhi claimed three wickets. Darshan Bhoir took two and Raju Boga claimed a wicket for the home team.

Nepali cricket team is touring Mumbai to play friendly matches in their build-up process for the ICC World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the UAE on March.

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Nepal’s winning run ends

Posted on February 12, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal’s winning run during their Mumbai tour came to a halt on Saturday as they lost their eighth friendly match to Payyade Sports Club by six wickets.

Winning the toss, Nepal opted to bat first and scored 137 runs losing nine wickets in allotted 20 overs. Anil Mandal was the highest scorer with 39 runs off 31 balls with three boundaries and two sixes. Paresh Lohani scored 25 runs off 21 balls while Sharad Vesawakar scored 21 runs off 28 balls.

Vishal Dabholkar grabbed four wickets while Saurabh Netravalkar took two wickets.

Payyade Sports Club successfully chased the target in 17.2 for the loss of four wickets. Pankaj Jaishwal was not out on 60 runs off 47 balls with five boundaries and four sixes.

Basanta Regmi, Chandra Saud, Sanjam Regmi and Paras Khadka grabbed a wicket each.

Nepali national cricket team has been touring Mumbai as a part of its preparations for the upcoming ICC World T20 World Cup Qualifiers to be played in the UAE on March.

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Nepal beat ELF Academy

Posted on February 10, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal registered a three-wicket victory over ELF Dilip Venserkar Academy in a T20 match on Friday on their Mumbai tour.

Nepali team is in Mumbai in order to practice for the upcoming ICC World T20 World Cup Qualifiers to be held in the UAE on March.

Winning the toss ELF Dilip Venserkar Academy elected to bat first and scored 154 runs for the loss of six wickets. Amrit Bhattarai and Basanta Regmi grabbed two wickets each while Krishna Karki and Mhboob Alam shared a wicket each. Nikhil Khare scored 43 runs while Sarfaraz Khan scored 40 runs for the home team.

Nepali team successfully chased the target in 20 overs losing seven wickets. Mehboob Alam was not out on 58 runs off 27 balls with five sixes and three boundaries. Gyanendra Malla scored 21 runs off 23 balls.

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Nepal defend ACC U-19 Women’s Championship

Posted on February 10, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal pulled a six-wicket victory over Thailand in the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship Cricket Tournament on Friday to complete title hat-trick at Hubara Ground, Kuwait. Nepal had earlier lifted the title in 2008 and 2010.

Nepal is the only team to remain undefeated in all three editions of the tournament taking its winning streak to 19 matches in the ACC tournament.

Winning the toss Nepal invited Thailand to bat first on Friday and restricted them in just 74 runs off 22.4 overs. Nepal crossed the target after the completion of the 21st over with the loss of four wickets.

Player-of-the-match Nepali skipper Rubina Chhetri grabbed three wickets in her 4.4 overs conceding only seven runs. Sangeeta Gauchan grabbed two wickets in her five over spell conceding 16 runs.

Thailand skipper Nattakan Chantam, who was dominating Nepali, was back to the pavilion in the 12th over in spinner Gauchan’s bowling. Chantam scored 22 runs and also shared a-24 runs partnership for the third wicket with Phira-on Khamla.

Chasing the total of 75 runs, Nepal did not start well. Nepal lost its both openers — Anuradha Chaudhary and Droupati Kunwar — on ducks by the second over of the innings. Indu Barma and Kavita Gautam shared a-17 runs partnership for the third wicket. Gautam was out scoring three runs while Barma (6 runs) was caught behind in Phira-on Khamla bowling. Nepal had scored 19 runs in seven overs losing four wickets.

Skipper Chhetri and Mamata Chaudhary shared a 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket. They faced 89 balls to set the partnership. Chhetri was not out with 24 runs off 45 balls with two boundaries while Chaudhary remained unbeaten on 21 runs off 43 balls with a boundary.

Chhetri also received player-of-the-tournament award for her all-round performance in the championship.  Chhetri took 13 wickets and scored 71 runs playing all the six matches that Nepal had played in the tournament.

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Nepal toil hard to beat Bhutan, face Thailand in final

Posted on February 9, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal toiled hard to beat Bhutan in the semifinal and to secure the berth in the final of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship Cricket Tournament on Thursday.

Nepal defeated Bhutan by three wickets at Unity ground, Kuwait to reach the final of the tournament for the three consecutive editions. Nepal will meet Thailand in the title clash.

Nepal had earlier defeated Bhutan in the final of second edition on 2010 by five wickets. Thailand is also not a new opponent for Nepal as both teams had met in the league round. Nepal had defeated Thailand by four wickets.

On Thursday, Bhutan elected to bat first and scored 96/7 in 25 overs.  Sonu Khadka gave a break through to Nepal as she took the first wicket of Bhutan with seven runs on board. Saraswoti Chaudhary grabbed two wickets. Dechen Wangmo and Yesney Wangmo shared a 66-run partnership to guide Bhutan for the moderate total.

Dechen scored 49 runs and Yesney scored 26 runs. Bhutan lost its four wickets for four runs in the last over of the innings. Rubina Chhetri bowled Yesney in the first ball of the last over while the other three batters were short to the crease. Nepal conceded 11 runs as extras.

In chasing the total of 97 runs, Nepal reached the target in 24.2 overs for the loss of seven wickets with the help of 33 runs as extra conceded by the Bhutanese bowlers. Nepal lost its first two wickets with two runs on board. Opener Shilu Rijal and Kabita Gautam were back to the pavilion on duck.

Anuradha Chaudhary and Indu Barma shared a 25-run partnership to build the score of Nepal. Barma gave away her wickets with just eight runs. Chaudhary and Skipper Rubina Chhetri shared a 21-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Chaudhary was bowled with 10 runs.

Mamata Chaudhary was out on duck and Chhetri was back to the pavilion with 20 runs. Sonu Khadka and Saraswoti Chaudhary shared a 32-run partnership for the seventh wicket which was the highest runs partnership in the match for Nepal. Khadka was not out on 16 runs off 18 balls with two boundaries while Santoshi Chaudhary was not out for a single run. Anju Gurung grabbed two wickets for Bhutan.

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Mandal’s ton seals fifth victory in tour

Posted on February 9, 2012 by cricketnepal

A century knock from Anil Mandal helped Nepal to register 31 runs victory over Islam Gymkhana in a T20 match, the fifth friendly in Mumbai tour, on Wednesday. Nepali team is in Mumbai as the preparation for the upcoming ICC World T20 Qualifiers to be held in UAE on March.

Losing the toss Nepali team was invited to bat first and scored 206 runs for the loss of four wickets. Nepal did not start well as their opener Subash Khakurel and Pradeep Airee were out on seven and 12 runs respectively. Paras Khadka and Anil Mandal shared a-47 runs partnership for the third wicket. Khadka was back to the pavilion with 19 runs.

Mandal was on the crease and shared a-49 runs partnership with Sharad Vesawkar, who scored 13 runs. Mandal faced 58 for his first century. Mandal was unbeaten on 107 runs off 58 balls with 11 boundaries and six huge sixes. Binod Bhandari was also unbeaten on the crease with 36 runs off 16 balls that included two boundaries and three huge sixes.

Islam Gymkhana managed to score 175 runs off 20 overs losing nine wickets. Sarffaraz Khan scored 53 runs off 36 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. Nepali pace bowler Krishna Karki was successful bowler as he grabbed four wickets off three overs conceding 34 runs. Amrit Bhattarai, Chandra Saud, Basanta Regmi and Sanjam Regmi grabbed a wicket each.

 

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Nepal continue winning streak

Posted on February 7, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepali national cricket team continued its winning streak in their Mumbai tour with a five-wicket victory over Nerul Gymkhana on Tuesday for their fourth consecutive friendly win.

Nepali national cricket team is in Mumbai as a part of their preparations for the upcoming ICC World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the UAE in March.

Winning the toss, Nerul Gymkhana opted to bat first and scored 117 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 20 overs. Opener Manish Rao scored 35 runs off 35 balls while wicketkeeper Vishal Chitrakar scored 20 off 31 balls. Pace bowlers Chandra Saud and Krishna Karki grabbed two wickets each while spinners Basanta Regmi and Sanjam Regmi shared a wicket each.

In chasing the total of 118 runs, Nepal reached the target in 19.5 overs losing five wickets. Nepal did not start well as it lost their openers Subash Khakurel and Pradeep Airee cheaply. Paresh Lohani scored unbeaten 48 runs off 55 balls with two boundaries and a six.

Gyanendra Malla scored 24 runs off 25 balls while skipper Paras Khadka scored 22 runs off 19 balls. Satish Shinde and Manish Rao grabbed two wickets each while Arman Sheikh took a wicket.

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Nepal win practice match again

Posted on February 6, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal registered 32 runs victory over Nerul Gymkhana on Monday in their third friendly match in India. Nepal’s national cricket squad is in Mumbai tour for training and to play eight practice matches as a preparation for the upcoming ICC World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the UAE in March.

Winning the toss, Nerul Gymkhana invited Nepal to bat first. Nepal scored 185 runs for the loss of nine wickets in allocated 40 overs. Gyanendra Malla scored 40 runs off 73 balls with two boundaries. Basanta Rregmi was unbeaten on 37 off just 30 balls with two boundaries and as many sixes. Skipper Paras Khadka and Prithu Baskota scored 26 runs each.

In chasing the total of 186 runs, Nerul Gymkhana was restricted in just 159 runs in 38.5 overs. Sarfraz Khan’s 51 runs off 79 balls could not help Nerul Gymkhana.

Spinner Rahul BK grabbed four wickets in eight overs conceding 36 runs. Pace bowlers Amrit Bhattarai and Krishna Karki took two wickets each.

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Nepal set up semifinal clash with Bhutan

Posted on February 6, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal fixed their semifinal clash with 2010 finalists Bhutan in the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship Cricket Tournament on Monday. Nepal defeated Thailand by four wickets in their last league match to top Group A.

Nepal had earlier defeated Thailand by 83 runs during the first edition of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship at Chiang Mai, Thailand. On Monday, Thailand batting first after winning the toss scored 86 runs for the loss of four wickets in 25 overs.

Sirintra Saengsakaorat was unbeaten on 34 runs off 60 balls with a boundary. Chanida Sutthiruang scored 26 off 44 balls while Sureeporn Laomi scored 11 runs.

Nepal’s skipper Rubina Chhetri, Santoshi Chaudhary and Sangeeta Gauchan grabbed a wicket each.

In chasing the moderate total of 87 runs, Nepal lost six wickets and reached the target in 22.4 overs. Nepal did not start well as they lost the first wicket with 11 runs on board. Opener Shilu Rijal and Anuradha Chaudhary were back on the pavilion with one run each. Nepal were three down by the start of the fourth over with 12 runs on board.

Indu Verma, who was adjudged the player-of-the-match, was not out on 40 runs off 53 balls with three boundaries. Berma shared a 28-run partnership with skipper Chhetri for the fourth wicket. Chhetri was back on the pavilion with her personal 11 runs off 31 balls. With the fall of the skipper, Nepal lost another wicket of Pratiksha Basyal on duck.

Verma was supported by Mamata Chaudhary for the sixth wicket as they shared a 41-run partnership. This was Nepal’s highest partnership in the match. Chaudhary gave away her wickets after scoring 12 runs. Sonu Khadka was not out on two runs.

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Nepal enter ACC U-19 Women’s Championship semifinal

Posted on February 5, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal entered into the semifinals of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship Cricket Tournament as they pulled off third consecutive victory in the group round on Sunday defeating UAE by 68 runs.

Nepallead Group A with six points from three matches whileThailandhave four points from two matches andChinahave two points from three matches.Malaysiaand the UAE have no points in their kitty.

Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first at the KOC Unity Ground,Kuwait.Nepalput up 158/8 in 25 overs and later restricted the UAE at 90/9 in 25 overs.

The score against the UAE isNepal’s second best score batting first, and it was the second win over the UAE in the all three editions of the championship.Nepalhad scored 159 runs batting first againstSingaporein 2010.Nepalhad earlier defeated UAE by 81 runs in 2010 inSingapore.

On Sunday,Nepalcould not start well as they lost opener Shilu Rijal for duck. Shilu had scored 35 runs againstKuwaiton Saturday. Another opener Anuradha Chaudhary also gave away her wicket cheaply for eight runs but she shared a 52-runs partnership for the second wicket with Indu Verma. Verma top scored with 32 runs in 41 balls including two boundaries.

Nepal continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Kavita Gautam was out for 6 runs. Skipper Rubina Chhetri was back to the pavilion with 13 runs. Mamata Chaudhary scored 10 runs while player-of-the-match Sonu Khadka scored 30 runs off 20 balls with five boundaries.

Khadka and Pratikshya Basyal shared a 33-runs partnership for the eighth wicket. Basyal was not out at two runs and Saraswoti Chaudhary was on the crease with two runs. Sangeeta Gauchan scored just one run.

The UAE bowlers gave away 50 runs as extras that included 47 wides.

Ayesha Naushadkhan, Shambhavi Gupta and Humaira Tasneem claimed two wickets each.

Chasing the huge total of 159 runs, UAE could manage to score only 90 runs losing nine wickets in 25 overs.

Nepali pace bowlers piled pressure on the UAE batters from the start of the innings. The UAE lost two wickets in the first over with just four runs on board.

Nepali skipper Chhetri bagged four wickets conceding 15 runs in her five overs that included a maiden. Shantoshi Chaudhary, Saraswoti Chaudhary, Kavita Gautam and Sonu Khadka grabbed a wicket each while a batter was retired hurt.

Esha James, a 10-year old, was the highest scorer for UAE with 18 runs off 26 balls. Opener Kyna Vedhasinghe scored 13 runs while Humaira Tasneem added 11 runs. Nepali bowlers gave away 33 runs as extras.

Nepali Coach Nabin Singh was delighted after the win against UAE. “The batting sector of the team is up to the par but the bowlers conceded extras due to wind in the field. We need to improve our bowling in the next match.”

Coach Singh added that the team will play againstThailandas the players are confident and they are winning matches. “We will bat 25 overs and try to restrictThailandcheaply.”

Nepal will take onThailandon Monday.

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Nepal beat Malaysia by 97 runs

Posted on February 4, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepal maintained their winning streak and thrashed Malaysia by 97 runs on Saturday in their second match of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship being held in Kuwait.

Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first. Opener Shilu Rijal scored 35 runs and Mamta Chaudhary remained unbeaten with 23 runs as Nepal scored 136 runs for five wickets in 25 overs. Indu Verma contributed 17 runs for Nepali team while Sonu Khadka remained unbeaten for 9 runs. Anuradha Chaudhary contributed five runs and Captain Rubina Chhetri scored just three runs. Kabita Gautam, who had scored 25 runs against China on Friday, scored just 2 runs against Malaysia on Saturday.

Syazwani and Nadhirah took two wickets each forMalaysia.

In reply, Malaysia could not resist Nepali bowling attack. Malaysia were all out for 39 runs in 16.2 overs. Player of the match Santoshi Kumari Chaudhary took four wickets giving away 13 runs. Captain Rubina  claimed three wickets giving away 9 runs. Kabita  claimed a wicket while two Malaysian batswomen were run out.

Nepal had beaten China by seven wickets in its first match of the tournament on Friday. Nepal are defending champion of the tournament.

Nepal will take on the UAE on Sunday.

 

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Nepal beat Nirlon Sports by 5 wkts

Posted on February 4, 2012 by cricketnepal

KATHMANDU, Feb 4

Nepalwon the second T20 match in their Mumbai Tour on Saturday as they defeated Nrilon Sports Club by five wickets.

According to cricket umpire Raman Siwakoti, who is following Nepali team in Mumbai, Nirlon Sports Club won the toss and elected to bat first.Nepalrestricted them at 124/9 in 20 overs as Chandra Saud took four wickets. Amrit Bhattarai and Shakti Gauchan claimed two wickets each. Mohit Parwal was the highest scorer for Nirlon as he scored 53 runs.

In reply, Nepali Captain Paras Khadka scored 57 runs and Sharad Vesawkar remained unbeaten for 49 runs to guideNepalto 128/5 in 19 overs. Paresh Lohani scored 12 runs. Prithu Baskota remained not out for six runs while Pradeep Airee scored only 1 run. Mehboob Alam and Gyanendra Malla were both duck out.

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Gautam helps Nepal to upset China

Posted on February 3, 2012 by cricketnepal

Kabita Gautam gave an all-round performance to guide Nepal to a seven-wicket victory against China on Friday in its first match of the ACC U-19 Women’s Championship being held in Kuwait.

Gautam took three wickets giving away only 11 runs in her 5 overs and scored unbeaten 25 runs off 32 balls to seal the victory.

Nepal elected to field first at the Unity Ground and bowled out Chinafor 61 runs in 23.1 overs. Gautam caught Chinese opener Chen Huiya off Sonu Khadka’s bowling in the first ball of second over. Another Chinese opener Li Yangying (1 run) was run out in the fourth over as Gautam was superb on fielding.

China were 5 for 3 in 4.5 overs as Captain Rubina Chhetri trapped Zhou Caiyun (1 run) LBW. Ying Lili and Zhu Liya tried to anchor the Chinese innings and put up 29 runs partnership for the fourth wicket. However, Santoshi Chaudhary claimed the wicket of Lili (13 runs) and Sangeeta Gauchan bowled Liya when she was batting at 14 runs. Gauchan bowled Liu Jia (3 runs) and Shantoshi Chaudhary trapped Ding XiuXiu run-out.

Gautam took final three wickets to wrap up Chinese innings.

Chasing the small total,Nepalmet the target in 15.2 overs losing just three wickets.Nepallost their first wicket in the fifth over. Shilu Rijal (naught) was first Nepali batswomen to return pavilion. Ying Lili took the wicket of Rijal. Another Nepali opener Anuradha Chaudhary scored 12 runs before she was bowled by Chen Huiya in the second ball of the sixth over.

However, Indu Verma and Gautam played superb knocks to guideNepalto victory. Verma scored 16 runs off 22 balls before being bowled out by off-spinner Ding Xiuxiu.

Gautam remained unbeaten for 25 runs off 32 balls. Gautam hit three boundaries and Verma struck two boundaries.

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Nepal wins first practice match in Mumbai

Posted on February 3, 2012 by cricketnepal

Nepali National Cricket team defeated Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) by seven wickets on Friday in its first T20 practice match in its Mumbai-tour.

Nepali team led by Coach Pubudu Dassanayake and captain Paras Khadka is touring Mumbai for practice matches asNepalis preparing for the ICC World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the UAE on March.

According to Nepali umpire Raman Siwakoti, who is also in the tour, Nepali team won the toss and elected to field first and the decision proved to be a right one. JNPT was all out for 53 runs in 16 overs. Basant Regmi and Sanjam Regmi took three wickets each while Amrit Bhattarai took two wickets. Chandra Saud and Mehboob Alam took a wicket each to bundle out the home team in a low score.

In reply,Nepalcould not start well. Nepali opener Subash Khakurel was out in the first over scoring only four runs. However, Nepali team met the target in 12.3 overs losing only three wickets. Sharad Vesawkar scored unbeaten 19 runs while Gyanendra Malla remained not out for 11 runs. Pradeep Airee scored eight runs and Captain Khadka contributed six runs for Nepali team.

Nepali team will play six T20 and two 50-over matches in its tour to Mumbai.

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Followin the men’s track

Posted on January 31, 2012 by binod

Nepali men’s Under-19 cricket team has a history of winning ACC U-19 title 4 times in a row. Nepali U-19 girls team is chasing the same target. The team is prepared to participate in ACC U-19 women’s championship, in Kuwait, with an aim to take the title for the third time.

Among boys, Nepal won the title 4 times, between 2001 to 2007, and played in ICC U-19 World Cup five times. Come August, Nepal will play in the U-19 World Cup for the sixth time, in Australia. Youth Asia Cup 2001 (late called U-19 ACC championship) was the first ever international title Nepal won, under captaincy of Binod Das.

It was the U-19 team, who started making history among women as well. ACC U-19 championship in 2008 (Thailand) was the first international trophy for Nepali women, in cricket. Two years later, Nepali girls defeated Bhutan to defend the title in Singapore and now Nepal is on a hat-trick of ACC U-19 trophy. If the girls are not able to take the title, Nepal will be without any ACC trophy for the first time in two years.

In past two title wins, Sita Ranamagar, Sarita Magar, Mamata Thapa, Gita Chudal and Trishna Singh were part of the core team, along with captain Nery Thapa. Now these players are not part of the team, due to age barrier. This might add to some pressure to the team. Opening bowler Sonu Khadka will be playing for the third consecutive time. But Coach Nabin Singh says it will not make any difference. He is confident of hat-trick.

“As others have said, this team is better than previous ones. So I see a good possibility of win,” Singh says, “that’s why we have practice matches with the senior players available in Kathmandu. The team is playing well.” He is confident also because his players are generally fit, apart from minor niggles. He feels a lot of allrounders in the team is a ‘plus point’.

Rubina Chhetri, Indu Verma, Shradha Aryal, Arati Bidari were part of the team when Nepal won title in Singapore. Rubina, who took 3 wickets against Bhutan in the final, is leading the team this time around. She is hopeful of the title under her captainship. She says, “If we play according to our potential, this is the best team we have so far. Earlier, the team relied on Nery Thapa’s batting, now we don’t rely on one single player. All bat well, it’s an allround team.”

Nepal is grouped along with China, UAE, Malaysia and Thailand in ‘Group A’, in the championship that will be played in February 3-10. Four years ago, Nepal had defeated Malaysia in first match and the final. Likewise, Nepal had handed defeat to China, by 66 runs, and Thailand, by 83 runs, in the same edition of the tourney.

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organized first U-19 national women’s championship and formed the national team thereafter. Janakpur (Region 7), which was formed as a separate region only one and half years earlier, became the champion for the first time. Naturally, many players from the team made it to the national team. Anuradha Chaudhary, Saraswati Chaudhary, Mamata Chaudhary, Santoshi Chaudhary and Kavita Gautam, who are likely to form the core of the team are from Janakpur.

Coach of the Janakpur team, Nabin Singh has become the coach of U-19 women’s team. He looks as nervous as he is excited to lead the national team for the first time. But he rejects it, “If the coach is nervous, what will happen to the players?”

He understands that 25 over matches will be challenging for the girls. But he has faith in his team, as he has players like Rubina, Indu, Mamata, Anuradha, Sonu and Kavita in the ranks.

(Ed: The write-up appeared in Nagarik national daily, on 31st January, 2012)

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Expected – Written – Guessed

Posted on January 31, 2012 by da69

Test match fever is all gone after Australian Open Tennis dominated cricket this summer here in Australia. The domination started after years first Grand Slam Tennis started in Melbourne.

I am here not to talk about tennis and I can’t even forget almost six hours of clash between Djokovic and Nadal in the Australian Open final. However, I am here to talk about the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

I tweeted at the end of the 4-match Test series about India’s flop duo Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman’s retirement plans. I wrote: “this will not gonna happen” and it will not happen.

No doubt they had extraordinary talent. Sachin Tendulkar, well every one can put him on exceptional case, will and can play as long as he wants to. By the way he is 38 years old and I guess waiting for his 100th ton to think about retirement.

Among the all batsman who toured at this test series Sachin was the only player who looked in good touch, it was perfect bowling by the Aussies that made it difficult for him to score. Rahul 39, VVS 37 and a flop show this summer has hinted to play more, more and more, and they will, trust me.

As they enter the big stage back home no one can stop them. This is what I don’t like about Indian Cricket Team. Talents that are willing to play for their country has to wait a long time and when time comes they look depressed waiting for long time.

Rohit Sharma is a good example, the selectors made him chew his nails even in the last match, we all guessed this time he will get a chance but he didn’t. This is what Indian team is, was and will be…

Indian bowlers? I have a suggestion: do not tour abroad until and unless you have bowlers who can hit the deck hard at 150 kmph. Zaheer was one and Yadav looks like having a bright future. I missed Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh.

As previous tour, Team India were here in Australia to get rid of the cold weather back home. They lacked cricket basics. Few old legs combined with a few young lazy legs. Players were chasing the ball as if a Bollywood Actor running to hug his heroine in super slow motion.

A tour should be planned and you should act on the plan and give a fight. Team Australia did this and they are holding the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Every player played their part, captain Clarke passed his exam, his decisions were extremely impressive and it stroke the brain and hit the heart.

This series became a good platform to former captain Ricky Ponting get his form back. Aussie bowlers are the true winners if we analyze the whole series. Hilfenhaus, Sidddle, Pattinson and Harris all bowled according to the plan and they got the reward whenever their captained.

Overall, this summer cricket didn’t give me The Entertainment. Lets see what will the ODI Tri-Series has for me.

Now I am eagerly waiting for our boys for the U-19 World Cup…

Cricket Nepal special correspondent Sudin Pokharel writes from Sydney, Australia.

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Team off to Mumbai

Posted on January 31, 2012 by cricketnepal

A 23-member cricket team, including 18 players, left Kathmandu on Monday for a practice tour to Mumbai, India as Nepali national team is preparing for the upcoming ICC World T20 Qualifiers to be held in the UAE on March.

Nepali team, led by Coach Pubudu Dassanayake and Captain Paras Khadka, will play six T20 matches and two 50-over matches in Mumbai during the tour. The tam will reach Bhairahawa by road and take train to reach Mumbai on February 2. Continue reading →

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Endgame for Binod Das?

Posted on January 29, 2012 by somesh

The national cricket team is embarking on a tour to India, as a preparation for the ICC World T20 Qualifiers, which is to be held in the UAE in third week of March. The 18-member preliminary squad is to go to Mumbai to play 5-6 T20 matches and one 50-over match, with the local teams.

This is not the first preparation tour for Nepal and neither shall it be the last. But this time around, the team will be traveling without former skipper Binod Das, who has been dropped from the team.

There would be few people to challenge this decision, but it should be noted that he has been dropped only for the T20 matches. Many would remember his over against Afghanistan in recently held ACC T20 Cup. As he ran in to bowl 4th over, Nepal was defending 68 runs, he looked out of sorts, having a catch dropped in his previous over. He was promptly belted all around the park, 21 runs were conceded in the over and match was as good as over for Nepal. Binod cut a lonely figure in the ground, not much activity going around him. Maybe that was the moment; many had concluded it was all over for him, so there is not much of a surprise in him being dropped. After all, you cannot have a strike bowler who bowls at less than 70 miles per hour.

The good thing is, this was the first time that a player was told by the coach and the selector about being dropped from the team, unlike earlier, where players came to know of them being dropped through newspapers. Apparently he was told that team needed to try out new combinations and was looking for fresher faces.

“I was obviously disappointed, but I will keep improving myself in all formats of the game,” Binod says, “I am in fact fitter than earlier.” His fellow players will tell you, Binod was in fact the pick of the bowlers during the camp held. He took 7 wickets in 4 practice matches and had at least one catch dropped off his bowling in every one of them.

That is what we should expect from a player that has taken 82 wickets in 62 One Dayers. His record at U-19 level has also been impressive. He has been even more potent in the longer version – the 3-dayers – with 67 scalps in 14 matches. Many would remember his 6 for 29, when Nepal defeated UAE in 2005-6. The numbers force you into believing he is good at what he does.

But, of late, Binod has been a story of diminishing returns and maybe not as potent a force that he was a few years ago. But his story should be an inspiration to many other budding cricketers of the country. Coming from a modest family from Kalaiya, with limited means and rising to the ranks becoming a mainstay of national cricket team for over a decade. He is the first Nepali cricketer to have played more than 100 international games (in all formats of cricket). He is also a success story for Cricket Association of Nepal too, coming from age-group teams and taking the helm of a national team. He played in U-17, U-19 and the senior side, and this alone should tell the cricket authorities why feeder system of players in the form of age-group tournaments is a must, if you want a good national side.

The Binod story may not yet be over, for he feels that he can still be a part of the team, something that Nepal coach Pubudu Dassanayake also echoes. “He’s still a part of plan in the longer version,” he says.

Despite his loss of form and injury in recent times, one should hail him for his contribution to Nepal cricket. Yours truly would always remember 2000, when Binod was batting as a tailender against Hong Kong – the match we lost with a good margin – and Rameez Raja, former Pakistan Test player was commentating on TV. Watching Binod bat, Raja said, “I’ve never seen a No 10 batsman, playing with such good stance and straight bat.”

For me, that shall remain Binod’s contribution, being the first person who got us noticed in World Cricket.

(Ed: This write up appeared in The Kathmandu Post, national daily, under Somesh’s column: OFFSIDE, on 28th Jan 2012)

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On Binod Das

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Ujjwal Acharya

Binod Das is out of the national team! On Tuesday, Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the preliminary squad for the World Cup Twenty20 Qualifiers, axing former captain Binod.
This is the first time in almost 13 years that the cricketer from Bara was not considered for a team he is qualified to play for. This alone speaks a lot about his contribution to cricket in Nepal.
I feel saddened by the news that he is not in the team but that doesn´t mean I am against the decision to axe him. I feel Binod has done so much for cricket, and has created enough ground to continue contributing to cricket, that it doesn´t matter whether he is in the team or not. What matters most now is: will the CAN leadership be wise enough to respect his contribution, the experience and knowledge he has gained from playing (and also completing Level III coaching course) and use that for the development of Nepal´s cricket.
The first story I wrote about Binod in 1999 was on the theme of ´the youngest captain´. He was the youngest member in the Under-19 team that qualified to play the first ever Youth World Cup for the country. He wasn´t the captain during the qualifying tournament in Hong Kong, but for the YWC in Sri Lanka he was.
He never looked back after that and continued to be one of the best players in the country – right from becoming the first captain to lift a title, the ACC U-19 Trophy 2001, to becoming the de-facto choice for opening bowler for unofficial Associate XI teams after his splendid performances in three-day cricket.
Binod is one of the most successful cricketers on the field and the humblest of characters off the field. Personally, he should not only be admired as a committed player but also as a gentleman. Being axed from a team is of course a bitter truth for any player; however, every player – no matter how talented or successful – should be ready for the day he would not find a place in the team. It´s a rule of nature.
The true player is one who either knows it´s the end of his playing days or fights back into the team and accepts it.
Binod Das´ days haven´t ended for sure. He may not be a good T20 player but his experience will still matter in the 50-over matches. Sadly, Nepal doesn´t look like it will be playing matches in his favorite format – the multi-day cricket.
However, despite his possible comeback, it´s time for CAN to start thinking about utilizing his knowledge. He is not only the most experienced player but also the best trained coach in Nepal. It will be an injustice to him to say that he has nothing more for cricket.
CAN should ensure that he gets some place to keep contributing to Nepali cricket, which will be good both for him and for cricket.

(Ed: This write up appeared in Republica national daily under Ujjwal’s column: SPORTY SPIRIT, on 28th Jan 2012)

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CAN gets office bearers

Posted on January 27, 2012 by cricketnepal

Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) board has appointed Keshav Ghimire and Binod Kumar Mainali as vice presidents. Mainali was elected as board member by CAN’s electoral general assembly in Chitwan on 18th of December, 2011. CAN President Tanka Aangbuhang had appointed Ghimire as board member on 6th January. Likewise, Thakur Prasad Pahadi and former national team captain Uttam Kumar Karmacharya are the new secretaries of CAN, following the board meeting. Karmacharya is an elected member of the CAN executive committee. Pahadi is nominated member.

Meanwhile, the board meeting also appointed other eight people as member of the CAN executive committee. The nominated are Sanjeeb Pandey (Eastern Region), Ram Chandra Sharma (Central), Deepak Koirala (Western), Purna Lama (Mid-Western) and Bipat Ram Chaudhary (Far-Western Region). Likewise, Sunil Man Amatya, Amrita Paudel and Dharma Sundar Bajracharya have also nominated as members of the committee. Amatya was the vice president of the ad-hoc committee formed by National Sports Council on October 26, 2011.

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