WCL Div 2: Nepal hungry for next step

Posted on February 7, 2018 by cricketnepal

Nepal is taking on hosts Namibia in the opening fixture of ICC World Cricket League Division 2 on February 8. With top two teams, getting spots in the World Cup Qualifiers next month in Zimbabwe, Nepal has its eye set on the top prize.

Speaking to media on the eve of the opening fixture, skipper Paras Khadka said the team is all set to convert all the hard-work in practice into the performance. “We have trained hard for this and the time has come to perform. It is not easy with opponents being strong too. So, we will take one game at a time,” said Khadka.

Nepal has been struggling with the batting in recent international fixtures but Khadka is optimistic about that being solved. “We have to improve our batting this time. Everyone must take up their responsibility and perform for the team,” he added.

“We have a good batting lineup. Training under batting consultant has helped us even more in match scenarios and tactics.”

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Nepal during practice session at the Wanderers Cricket Ground in Namibia. Photo Courtesy: Raman Shiwakoti/CAN

Nepal roped in Sulakshan Kulkarni of India as batting consultant weeks before the tournament. Kulkarni was part of the Ranji winning Mumbai squad a few years ago and has been gaining a lot of appreciation from the team.

Nepal’s fate in the tournament will also decide the next four years of cricketing calendar. Nepal is forced to play Division 2 after failing to get into top four of World Cricket League Championship. Seventh placed Nepal is among the bottom four teams of WCLC which joined top two teams of Division 3 for the Division 2.

Nepal, along with hosts Namibia, UAE, Kenya, Oman and Canada are vying for the top two spots in Division 2.

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Head coach Jagat Tamatta is well aware of the importance of the tournament. “We know this is a very important tournament for us. This will determine the next four years in international cricket. So, we have no option but to qualify for the world cuop qualifiers,” said Tamatta.

Nepal, who reached Namibia after a week long training camp in UAE, have had a content preparation in comparison to opponents. Nepal played three match against UAE ‘A’, which had only a few players with international experience. Even so, Nepal won two and lost a match.

Tamatta was not satisfied with the performance. The room for improvement has to be sorted as Nepal takes field against the hosts in the first match.

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Nepal during practice session at the Wanderers Cricket Ground in Namibia. Photo Courtesy: Raman Shiwakoti/CAN

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Progress made towards Nepal’s readmission: ICC

Posted on February 4, 2018 by icc

A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) has returned from Nepal following a series of meetings to progress discussions aimed at enabling the reinstatement of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to ICC membership.

The visit, led by ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, was focused on the adoption of a revised constitution and subsequent elections with clear timelines in place to lay a solid foundation for the good governance of the sport in Nepal.

Over the last 12 months, the ICC has worked closely with the Nepal Advisory Group (NAG), which comprises representatives of CAN, the Nepal Government and the broader cricket community, to draft a new constitution. This was one of a number of reinstatement conditions that the ICC set CAN in May 2016 that must be met before reinstatement is considered.

A revised version of this constitution was adopted by CAN in August 2017 however this contained significant changes to what had been previously agreed by the NAG and the ICC, meaning it did not fulfil the conditions set by the ICC Board.

Imran Khwaja said: “We made very good progress during this set of meetings and we’re on the path to agreeing amendments to the constitution for CAN to adopt. What was passed in August was not acceptable to the ICC or the Nepal Cricket Advisory Group which has been instrumental in creating a constitution that can take the sport in Nepal forward.

“We are in the process of putting in place some strict timelines which we expect to be adhered to which include the adoption of the constitution, addressing the outstanding reinstatement conditions and subsequent elections, all of which would be overseen by an independent panel. Then and only then can we agree the process for Nepal’s readmission at the ICC AGM in June 2018.”

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Mixed results for Nepal in WCL Div 2 preparation tour

Posted on February 2, 2018 by cricketnepal

Nepal’s preparation for the upcoming ICC World Cricket League Division 2 ended with mixed results after a loss in third and final preparatory match against the UAE ‘A’ on February 2. Nepal won two and lost one against the same opponents.

In the first match played on January 30, Nepal registered a 25 run victory after bundling out home team for 221 in 48.4 overs. Skipper Paras Khadka bagged 5-wicket haul while U-19 skipper Dipendra Singh Airee helped him with 3 wickets. Earlier, Nepal posted 246 in 49.3 overs. Opener Dilip Nath top-scored with 60 runs off 61 balls while Rohit Kumar Paudel chipped in valuable 43 runs in the middle. Karan KC’s 16-ball-35 with 4 fours and 2 sixes meant Nepal finished innings on a high note.

Vice captain Gyanendra Malla stole the limelight on January 31 as Nepal romped on to register a massive 193 run victory. Gyanendra hit 17 boundaries to score 154 runs off 134 balls. He, along with fellow opener Dilip Nath, put up opening partnership of 142 runs for the first wicket. Dilip was unlucky to be runout for 64 runs. Dipendra contributed run-a-ball 34 while Md. Arif Shekih hit unbeaten 41 off 33 balls to take Nepal past 300 run mark. Nepal posted handsome 333/5 in 50 overs. IPL-bound Sandeep Lamichhane starred in bowling as he took 4 wickets for 36 runs as UAE ‘A’ were bowled out for paltry 140 off 40.2 overs. Paras Khadka took two wickets as Sompal Kami and Shakti Gauchan shared one a piece.

The final match did not stand on the same page with the previous two as Nepal’s traditional batting woe continued. Chasing 216 run target set by UAE ‘A’, Nepal folded out for just 151 runs in 38.5 overs. Opener Dilip Nath got golden duck in the second ball of second over and Sharad Veswakar soon followed him to the pavillion with just 8 runs on board. Skipper Paras top-scored with 41 runs while Dipendra (26) and Gyanendra (24) could not convert their starts.

In the first innings, UAE ‘A’ scored 215/9 in 50 overs after Chirag Suri scored 85 runs in 102 balls. Suri, who arrived in the middle after opener Khalid Shah was bowled by Lalit Singh Bhandari for 5 hit 10 boundaries in his patient innings. He fell to birthday boy Sompal Kami in the 48th over. Ali Mirza also contributed valuable 42 runs whilst remaining unbeaten batting No. 8. Sompal took 3 wickets and was helped on by fellow seamer Lalit who bagged two.

Nepal will leave for Namibia on February 4 and will face home side Namibia on February 8. The top 2 teams from the Division 2 will qualify for World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for next month in Zimbabwe.

Brief scores of the practices matches in UAE:

Match 1: January 30, 2018
Nepal : 246 in 49.3 overs (Dilip Nath 61, Laxman Srikumar 3/18)
UAE ‘A’: 221 in 48.4 overs (Neil Lobo 59, Paras Khadka 5/36)
Result: Nepal won by 25 Runs.

Match 2: January 31, 2018
Nepal: 333/5 in 50 Overs (Gyanendra Malla 154)
UAE ‘A’: 140 in 40.2 Overs (Mohammad Qassim 41, Sandeep Lamichhane 4-36)
Result: Nepal won by 193 Runs.

Match 3: February 2, 2018
UAE ‘A’: 215/9 in 50 Overs (Chirag Suri 85, Sompal Kami 3-56)
Nepal: 151 in 38.5 Overs (Paras Khadka 41, Karthik Mayappan 4-32)
Result: UAE ‘A’ won by 64 runs.

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यसरी मिल्दै छ नेपाली क्रिकेटको विवाद, कसले के–के त्यागे ? (हाम्रोकुरा)

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Ujjwal Acharya

अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय क्रिकेट परिषद् आइसिसीले नेपाल क्रिकेट संघ क्यान माथिको निलम्बन फुकुवा गर्ने प्रष्ट जनाउ दिएको छ ।

आइसीसीले आफु लिएको समयसीमाभित्र गर्नु पर्ने सबै काम गरिसक्नु पर्जे शर्त राखेको छ । नेपाली क्रिकेटको विवाद समाधनको सहजिकरण गर्न उपाध्यक्ष इमरान ख्वाजाको नेतृत्वमा नेपाल आएको टोलीले दुई दिन (आइतबार र सोमबार) क्रिकेटसँग सम्बन्धित पक्षसँग छलफल गर्‍यो ।

ख्वाजासहितको टोलीले नेपालमा रहदा निर्वाचित क्यान तथा सल्लाहकार समूहसहित राखेपका सदस्यसचिव केशव विष्टसँग छलफल गरेको थियो । बैठकपछि सल्लाहकार समितिले बनाएको विधान पारित गर्ने र निर्वाचनका लागि निगरानी (मोनिटरिङ) समिति बनाउने सहमति भएको थियो । समितिमा ३ जना आइसीसीका सदस्य रहने र निर्वाचित क्यान र खेलकूद परिषद्का १–१ जना सदस्य रहनेछन् । जसले प्रदेश र केन्द्रको निगरानी गर्ने छ । आवश्यकता अनुसार जिल्लामा ३ सदस्यीय रिभ्यू समिति बनाउन सकिने आइसीसीले जनाएको छ ।

थप हाम्रोकुरामा पढ्नुहोस् ।

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ACC release calendar of events for 2018

Posted on February 2, 2018 by cricketnepal

Nepal will play the Asia Cup Qualifiers in September, according to calendar of events for 2018 released by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

The Asia Cup Qualifiers, to be hosted by India, will be six-team event with Hong Kong, Malaysia, Oman, Singapore, and UAE with the winner qualifying for the Asia Cup 2018 later the same month. The participants are 6 best ranked Associate teams in Asia.

The winner will join five Asian Test nations – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, for the Asia Cup 2018. The winner will also qualify for the Emerging Teams’ Asia Cup in December, 2018 that will be the contest between U23 teams of Test nation and the national team of qualifiers.

Participation in the Asia Cup Qualifiers also means that Nepal will not be featured in the Eastern Region Twenty20 event to be held in February in Thailand.

According to the calendar, Nepal Under-19 team will also participate in the Youth Asia Cup 2018 in October in Bangladesh. The event features U19 teams from 5 Test nations alongside 3 qualifiers – Nepal, Hong Kong and UAE, from the 2017 U19 event.

The full calendar of events:

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बेहद खुसी छन् सन्दीपका अभिभावक (विनोद पाण्डे, कान्तिपुर)

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Ujjwal Acharya

सन्दीप लामिछानेले चार वर्षअगाडि एउटा हक्की निर्णय गरेका थिए, नेपाल फर्किने । त्यतिखेर उनी अभिभावकसँग भारतमा बस्दै आएका थिए । क्रिकेटको ठूलो संस्कार रहेको भारत छाडेर नेपालमा भविष्य खोज्ने उनको यो निर्णय निकै चुनौतीपूर्ण थियो । नेपाली क्रिकेट भारतको तुलनामा खासै केही थिएन । १३–१४ वर्षे बालक सन्दीपको मनमा एक्कासि पलाएको नेपाल फर्किने चाहनाले परिवारमा सबैलाई आश्चर्यमा पार्‍यो । तर, अभिभावकले छोराको चाहनामा साथ दिए ।

थप कान्तिपुरमा पढ्नुहोस् ।

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नेपाल क्रिकेट संघको विवाद अब समाधान होला ? (सरोज तामाङ, बाह्रखरी)

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Ujjwal Acharya

राखेपका सदस्य सचिव केशवकुमार विष्टले मंगलबार पत्रकार सम्मेलन नै गरी अब छिटै नेपाली क्रिकेटले निकास पाउने दाबी गरे । कार्यक्रममा निर्वाचित क्यानका महासचिव अशोकनाथ प्याकुरेल र आईसीसीले गठन गरेको सल्लाहकार समितिका संयोजक विनयराज पाण्डे पनि उपस्थित थिए । सदस्य सचिव विष्टले भने, “हाम्रो आग्रहलाई स्वीकार गर्दै आईसीसीका कार्यवाहक अध्यक्ष इमरन ख्वाजासहितको टोली यहाँ आएको हो । क्यान विवाद समाधान भए आगामी जुनभित्र फुकुवा हुने कार्यवाहक अध्यक्ष ख्वाजाले आश्वासन दिनुभएको छ ।”

सदस्य सचिव विष्टले थपे, “नेपाली क्रिकेटको विकास गर्न हामी सबै एकताबद्ध भएर अघि बढ्नुको विकल्प छैन । क्रिकेटको विकास गर्न नै निर्वाचित समिति, सल्लाहकार समिति र आईसीसीसँग सहमति भएको छ ।”

के क्यानले अब निकास पाउला त ? थप बाह्रखरीमा पढ्नुहोस् ।

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सन्दीप, सम्भावना र सपना (कान्तिपुर, नागरिक र राजधानी)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Ujjwal Acharya

सन्दीपमाथि दिल्लीको भाउ लागेसँगै सामाजिक सञ्जालमा प्रधानमन्त्रीदेखि ठूला नेताहरूको बधाईको ओइरो नै लागेको थियो । तर, कुनै पनि सरकारले क्रिकेटको समस्या समाधान गर्न दरिलो कदम चालेका छैनन् । सरकार आफैं लागिपर्ने हो भने नेपाली क्रिकेटको समस्या तुरुन्तै हल हुन सक्छ । संघको समस्या समाधान नगरेसम्म क्रिकेटको तीव्र विकास सम्भव छैन । त्यसैले स्वार्थ त्यागेपछि मात्र सन्दीपसँगै नेपाली क्रिकेटले पनि छलाङ मार्न सक्छ । (कान्तिपुरको सम्पादकीय)

दिल्लीसँग सन्दीपको आबद्धताले नेपालमा अरु पनि धेरै क्षमतावान् क्रिकेटर छन् भन्ने सन्देश अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय जगत्मा पुगेको छ । यसले नेपालका अरु क्रिकेटरलाई पनि विदेशी लिग खेल्न सम्भावनाको ढोका खोल्नेछ । अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय जगत्मा नेपाली क्रिकेट र खेलाडीलाई हेर्ने दृष्टिकोणमा परिवर्तन ल्याउनेछ । सन्दीपलाई दिल्लीले अनुबन्ध गर्नेबित्तिकै अस्ट्रेलियाका पूर्वकप्तान माइकल क्लार्क, इङल्यान्डका पूर्वकप्तान माइकल भोनलगायतले ट्विटरबाट बधाई दिँदा प्रयोग गरेका सम्मानजनक शब्दको पक्कै पनि ठूलो अर्थ छ । (नागरिक सम्पादकीय)

सन्दीपको आईपीएल यात्रा नेपाली क्रिकेटका लागि ठूलो अवसर हो । सन्दीपका सामु आफूलाई प्रमाणित गर्ने चुनौतीहरू छँदाछँदै पनि उनको यो यात्रा नेपाली क्रिकेटका लागि नयाँ उचाइमा पु¥याउने कोसेढुंगो सावित होस् । क्रिकेटको विकासमा नाममा व्यक्तिगत स्वार्थका कारण द्वन्द्व सिर्जना गर्ने पदाधिकारीहरूमा समयमा नै बुद्धि फिरोस् । खेलकुदले सबै नागरिकलाई एकतामा बाँध्ने काम गर्दछ अब त खेलकुदको माध्यमबाट दुई देशबीचको तिक्ततालाई समेत बन्धुत्वमा बदल्ने उदाहरण दक्षिण र उत्तर कोरियाले २०१८ मा हुने विन्टर ओलम्पिकमा सहभागिता जनाउने विषयले देखाएको छ । त्यसैले सन्दीपको यो आईपीएलले नेपाली क्रिकेटमा नयाँ अध्याय लेख्नेछ । त्यसका लागि सरकार, खेलकुदपरिषद् र संघले बेलैमा सोच्नुपर्नेछ । नेपाली खेलाडी विश्वस्तरका भइसक्दासमेत सामान्य भौतिक पूर्वाधारसमेत निर्माण गर्न नसक्ने तर पदका लागि मरिहत्ते गर्नेहरूमा चेतना आओस् । (राजधानीको सम्पादकीय)

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यसरी सिकेका थिए सन्दीपले (कान्तिपुर)

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Ujjwal Acharya

राष्ट्रिय क्रिकेट टोलीका पूर्वकप्तान राजु खड्काले १२ वर्षयता गृहनगर भैरहवा छाडेर चितवनलाई कर्मथलो बनाएका छन् । चितवन क्रिकेट संघद्वारा सञ्चालित चितवन क्रिकेट एकेडेमीमा प्रशिक्षकको जिम्मेवारीले उनलाई नारायणगढ ल्याइपुर्‍याएको हो । सन्दीप लामिछानेको ‘फेयरी टेल’ यात्राले खड्काको प्रशिक्षक–छवि पनि चर्चामा छ । खड्कासँग तीन वर्ष एकेडेमीमा प्रशिक्षण लिएका सन्दीप इन्डियन प्रिमियर लिग (आईपीएल) मा पुगेका छन् ।

थप कान्तिपुरमा पढ्नुहोस् ।

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Six teams vying for final two spots in World Cup Qualifiers

Posted on January 29, 2018 by icc

There is all to play for in Namibia next month as the top two teams from ICC World Cricket League (WCL) Division 2 will qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 and will be just one-step away from England and Wales 2019.

Eighty-three teams started the qualification process for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and all teams in the ICC WCL Division 2 taking place between 8 and 15 February in Namibia are now just two steps away from the ICC’s pinnacle 50-over event.

Canada and Oman who secured promotion from the ICC World Cricket League Division 3 in May 2017 are joined by Kenya, Namibia, Nepal and the United Arab Emirates who get a second chance to qualify for the Zimbabwe event after finishing in the bottom four of the ICC World Cricket League Championship 2015-2017 that culminated in December 2017.

div2-logo-6078677Nepal who finished seventh in the ICC World Cricket League Championship with four wins from 14 matches will be aiming to improve on that to secure one of the two qualification spots to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Canada have previously played in four ICC Cricket World Cups in 1979, 2003, 2007, 2011 and will be looking to make it a fifth. The team have toured Barbados as part of its preparation for the ICC WCL Division 2 and can draw on the experience of Nikhil Dutta and Hamza Tariq who both played in the Caribbean Premier League.

Oman have impressed throughout the qualification process starting in Division 5 and spectacularly climbing the ladder at every stage. During that time, Oman has also performed well in the ICC World Twenty20 qualification process.

Kenya who have been a regular feature in ICC Cricket World Cups most recently in 2011 will look to captain Rakep Patel to lead the way. Regarded as one of Kenya’s finest cricketers at present with the bat. Dependable seamer Nelson Odhiambo will seek to make an impact on the pace bowling attack in the tournament.

Striving for participation in their third ICC Cricket World Cup, after 1996 and 2015 the United Arab Emirates have been competing in the tri-series in Dubai. It has provided valuable preparation for the team against tough opponents Ireland and Scotland, where they secured one victory against the Scots.

Namibia who last competed in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2003 have been busy preparing in competition in South Africa. The team will look back to the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in 2015 where they claimed second spot as hosts and will hope to emulate that.

The 18-match tournament will take place across three venues in Windhoek, Wanderers, WAP and Trustco UNITED.

Nepal captain Paras Khadka said: “ICC World Cricket League Division 2 will be like a royal rumble where every team will give their best in order to seal their places for next level. Therefore, this tournament means a lot to Nepal cricket.

“I am hopeful that we will get through this tournament as it is a stepping stone to the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. We are excited that we are just two steps away from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.”

Teams:

Nepal: Paras Khadka (captain), Gyanendra Malla, Sharad Vesawkar, Basant Regmi, Shakti Prasad Gauchan, Sompal Kami, Anil Kumar Sah, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Karan KC, Md. Arif Sheikh, Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Dilap Nath, Lalit Bhandari

Canada: Nitish Kumar (captain), Bhavindu Adhihetty, Cecil Pervez, Dhanuka Pathirana, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Hamza Tariq, Srimantha Wijeyeratne, Junaid Siddiqui, Nicholas Kirton, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nikhil Dutta, Dilon Heyliger, Saad Zafar, Satsimranjit Dhindsa

Kenya: Rakep Patel (captain), Collins Obuya, Gurdeep Bhagat, Dhiren Gondaria, Irfan Karim, Nelson Odhiambo, Shem Ngoche, Hiren Varaiya, Nehemiah Ngoche, Emmanuel Ringera, Lucas Ndandason, Rushabhvardhan Patel, Alex Auma, Karan Kaul

Namibia: Sarel Francois Burger (captain); Stephan Julian Baard, Jean Bredenkamp, , Petrus Jacobus Burger, Merwe Gerhard Erasmus, Jan Nicolaas Frylinck, Zane Edward Green, Jean-Pierre Kotze, Lohandre Louwrens, Bernhard Scholtz, Johannes Smit, Louis van der Westhuizen, Christoffel Viljoen, Craig Williams

Oman: Sultan Ahmed (captain), Aaqib Ilyas Sulehri, Ahmad Fayyaz Butt, Ajay Vrajlal Lalcheta, Swapnil Sunil Khadye, Bilal Khan, Khawar Ali, Muhammed Nadeem, Muhammad Naseem, Zeeshan Maqsood, Jay Viram Odedra, Jatinder Singh, Vaibhav Shridhar Wategaonkar, Kaleemullah Kaleemullah

United Arab Emirates: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabbir, Rameez Shahzad, Muhammad Boota, Muhammad Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Muhammad Naveed, Muhammad Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan

The match officials are:

Match Referee – Dev Govindjee
Mentor Umpire – Langton Rusere
Umpires -Buddhi Pradhan (Nepal), Claude Thorburn, Kalidas, Alex Dowdalls, Sarika Prasad, Akbar Ali Khan, Tabarak Dar and David Odhiambo

Fixtures:

8 February: Kenya v UAE (Wanderers); Nepal v Namibia (WAP); Oman v Canada (Trustco UNITED)
9 February: UAE v Canada (Wanderers); Nepal v Oman (WAP); Kenya v Namibia (Trustco UNITED)
11 February: Namibia v Oman (Wanderers); Kenya v Canada (WAP); UAE v Nepal (Trustco UNITED)
12 February: Kenya v Nepal (Wanderers); UAE v Oman (WAP); Namibia v Canada (Trustco UNITED)
14 February: Nepal v Canada (Wanderers); UAE v Namibia (WAP); Kenya v Oman (Trustco UNITED)
15 February: Final (Wanderers); 3rd v 4th Playoff (WAP); 5th v 6th Playoff (Trustco UNITED)

Posted in 2018 World Cricket League Division 2, Featured | Leave a comment

Bought by Delhi Daredevils, Sandeep becomes first Nepali cricketer in IPL

Posted on January 28, 2018 by cricketnepal

Sandeep Lamichhanee becomes the first Nepali cricketer to be drafted in by an Indian Premier League team as the Delhi Daredevils bought the 17-year-old Nepali leg-spinner for his base price of INRs 20 lakh (NRs. 32 lakh) at the IPL Auction on January 28.

When Sandeep was presented for the bid, only Delhi Daredevils, coached by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, put a bid on him.

Sandeep made headlines when he took a hat-trick against Ireland at the 2016 ICC U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh as Nepal entered the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time in their cricket history. He subsequently finished as the second highest wicket taker in the tournament with 14 wickets. He was called ‘the Nepali Shane Warne’ for his bowling in the tournament.

Sandeep, in his tweet, expressed happiness, thanked all and added that ‘journey begins now’.

He played for Kowloon Cantoons in the 2016 Hong Kong T20 Blitz where he impressed former Australian captain Michael Clarke, who also played the same team. Clarke invited Sandeep to represent the Sydney-based club Western Suburbs and train at Clarke’s cricket academy in Sydney during the course of his season-long stay in Australia.

A press release from Western Suburbs at that time stated that Clarke “had recognised Sandeep’s outstanding potential” during his short stint as a player and mentor in Hong Kong earlier this year.

“Sandeep is a fantastic young man who enjoys his cricket and is extremely passionate about the game,” Clarke was quoted as saying in the release. “It is a really exciting opportunity to have such a talented Nepalese cricketer travel this distance to come and test his skills and improve his game at my academy. I am looking forward to working with him and all the boys and girls that will attend the 5-day live in camp starting September 26th.”

Sandeep has played 9 List A matches so far taking 12 wickets at the strike rate of 37. He is currently traveling to UAE for practice matches and will travel to Namibia for the World Cricket League Division 2 from February 8 to 15.

The IPL will be held from April 7 to May 27, 2018.

Here are some of the reaction on his auction for the IPL:

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba:

National captain Paras Khadka:

Former national captain Raju Khadka wrote: “Congratulations Sandeep Lamichhane you have made us proud.”

Former national captain Binod Das:

Congratulations @IamSandeep25 .. u have made us all proud. Thank u @DelhiDaredevils for the opportunity to this young kid from a tour cricketing nation. #supportdelhidaredevils #ipl2018

— Binod Das (@binodsum) January 28, 2018

President of Nepal Sports Journalists Forum Mahesh Acharya:

Congratulations to Sandeep Lamichhane for being picked up in IPL. Thanks to #DelhiDaredevils #VIVOIPL2018

— MAHESH ACHARYA (@maheshach) January 28, 2018

Former CEO of Hong Kong Cricket Tim Cutler:

Well well well huh @MClarke23, would appear a certain Mr Ponting + crew at @DelhiDaredevils saw the potential we’ve all seen too! Congrats @IamSandeep25 and all #Nepal #IPLAuction @KowloonCantons https://t.co/Ao4D1omt2d

— Tim Cutler (@timcutler) January 28, 2018

Posted in Featured, Indian Premier League | Leave a comment

ICC delegation to visit Nepal for progress discussions

Posted on January 26, 2018 by cricketnepal
A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) will arrive in Nepal this weekend to progress discussions aimed at enabling the reinstatement of Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to ICC membership.

The objective of the visit, led by ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja, is to agree on the final steps to getting Nepal’s suspension lifted and reinstated into membership of the ICC. This involves, amongst other things, the adoption of an updated Constitution which all parties agree is needed to lay a solid foundation for the good governance of the sport in Nepal.

Over the last twelve months, the ICC has worked closely with the Nepal Advisory Group (NAG) which comprises representatives of CAN, the Nepal Government and the broader cricket community, to draft a new constitution. This was one of a number of reinstatement conditions that the ICC set CAN in May 2016 that must be met before reinstatement is considered.

A revised version of this constitution was adopted by CAN in August 2017 however this contained significant changes to what had been previously agreed by the NAG and the ICC, meaning it did not fulfil the conditions set by the ICC Board.

imrankhwajaiccexecutiveboardmeetingfar9la-boqcl-216x300-9469766Imran Khwaja said: “The ICC has been working towards Nepal being reinstated since its original suspension in May 2016 and this has included overseeing the selection, management, operations and finances of Nepal’s national teams to enable them to continue playing. The Board’s view was that the players should not be punished during Nepal’s suspension and therefore agreed to Nepal’s ongoing participation in ICC competitions.

“The Advisory Group has been instrumental in building a constitution that will support the readmission of Nepal to ICC membership and it is concerning that CAN did not adopt the constitution as proposed. In addition to this there remains a number of other reinstatement conditions outstanding that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

“We hope these meetings with CAN, the Advisory Group and Government representatives will enable us to reach agreement on acceptable amendments to the constitution and agree the process for Nepal’s readmission.”

Posted in Cricket Association of Nepal | Leave a comment

U19 batsman Rohit Paudel named for WCL Div 2

Posted on January 25, 2018 by cricketnepal

Rohit Kumar Paudel has been inducted in the 14-men squad for the upcoming ICC World Cricket League Division 2 slated for February 8-15, 2018 in Namibia. 

The U19 middle order batsmen was in a rich form during recently concluded Everest Premier League (EPL) and his performance is rewarded with a spot in Paras Khadka-led squad.

In EPL 2017, Batting as a finisher for Bhairahawa Gladiators, Paudel played memorable innings against international bowlers twice his age bailing his team from tricky situations to victory.

“I am very happy, obviously,” he told Republica daily. “I always take one match at a time. I know it is difficult to prepare knowing that there are not many selection matches happening in Nepal, but I don’t think much and only concentrate on the match I am involved in.”

“My role is to finish the match. I have been given the same responsibility in current camp and will be doing the same if given a chance in Division Two,” said Paudel. “Our sole goal is to win Division Two. We are positive and believe we can qualify.”

Along with Rohit, his young teammate Anil Kumar Sah also made his place for second successive tournament after covering up for Dipendra Singh Airee in the second match against the UAE in WCLC last December. Sah, yet to make his debut will be hoping his run of form will be rewarded with the first cap.

“All the coaches and seniors I worked and played with have helped me to get here. All the tournaments I played, EPL, DPL and U-19s helped me improve my game. I feel lucky to be involved with the national setup in a short span of time,” Sah told Republica daily. “Kalam Ali and Binod Das have been crucial in my development by helping me train at the Nepal Cricket School and Velocity Arena during no tournament days.”

Along with youngsters, veteran Shakti Gauchan and Basant Regmi are also in the squad. Regular pacers Karan KC and Sompal Kami are joined by Lalit Singh Bhandari. Skipper Paras Khadka, Vice captain Gyanendra Malla, Sharad Vesawakar, Md. Arif Sheikh and Dilip Nath complete the batting roster. Nath, who is the only regular wicketkeeper in the team, is expected to open the innings with Malla.

Among the reserves are Sunil Dhamala, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Siddhant Lohani and Kishor Mahato.

The selection was made from the 21 member preliminary squad which trained for about three weeks. The three member selection committee comprised of Skipper Khadka, Coach Jagat Tamata and ICC Representative Aminul Islam. Three players – Rashid Khan, Dipesh Shrestha and Sushan Bhari failed to make the cut.

The team will leave for UAE on 27th January where they will play three friendly matches. Team will travel to Namibia on February 4 before taking on hosts in the first match.

NEPAL SQUAD

  1. Paras Khadka (Captain)
  2. Gyanendra Malla (Vice Captain)
  3. Shakti Gauchan
  4. Basant Regmi 
  5. Sharad Vesawkar 
  6. Sompal Kami
  7. Karan KC
  8. Md. Arif Sheikh
  9. Sandeep Lamichhane 
  10. Dipendra Singh Airee
  11. Dilip Nath
  12. Lalit Bhandari
  13. Anil Kumar Sah
  14. Rohit Kumar Paudel

 

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IPL probable Sandeep focused on WCL Div 2

Posted on January 23, 2018 by cricketnepal

sandeep-lamichhane-e1516690984914-6445062Nepali spin sensation Sandeep Lamichhane has hit another landmark in his high flying career. The 17-year-old teenager is amongst hundreds of cricketers who will go under the hammer on January 27 and 28 for the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL).

Despite being one of the only two associate players to go into the auction, Sandeep is fully focused on his national duty. Nepal is playing ICC World Cricket League Division 2 from February 6 to 16 in Namibia. Along with the hosts, Nepal will be facing Oman, Canada, UAE and Kenya in order to open up pathway for the ICC World Cup 2019.

Sandeep, who had missed the deadline for the IPL auction had to call for help in order to get into the mix for auction. “I missed the set deadline for the auction. But all thanks to my agent and CAN ex-CEO Bhawana Ghimire, the problem was sorted out,” he explained.

Sandeep however is not focused on the auction and wants to shift all of it into the ongoing training for Division 2. “I am happy that I am included in the list of world beaters but nothing is in my hand now. I am fully focused on my national team duty. The tournament holds a lot of importance for all of Nepali cricket. Our future rests in the outcome of this tournament so all of us are trying to bring out the best,” Sandeep added.

Nepal needs to finish top 2 position in Division 2 to qualify for the World Cup Qualifiers that is scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe from March 4 to 25. The schedule for the Qualifiers is already out and Nepal needs to book a place in final of Division 2 if they want to play against big sides of World Cricket. The tournament features former world cup winning team West Indies as well.

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सोचेजस्तो छैन तयारी (विनोद पाण्डे, कान्तिपुर)

Posted on January 22, 2018 by cricketnepal

अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय क्रिकेटमा नेपाली क्रिकेटको सर्वोच्च निकाय निलम्बनमा परेको असर कतिसम्म छ भने त्यो वर्तमान राष्ट्रिय टोलीलाई हेरे पुग्छ । नेपाली क्रिकेटको भविष्यसँग जोडिएको विश्व क्रिकेट लिग डिभिजन २ नजिकिए पनि नेपाली टोलीको तयारीले सोचेअनुरुप गति लिन सकेको छैन । क्यान निलम्बनमा परेका कारण नेपालको राष्ट्रिय क्रिकेट टोलीको तयारी आईसीसीकै भरमा; नेपालले लामो अनुबन्धन दिन नसक्दा भारतका मोन्टी देशाई केही दिनअघि मात्र ब्याटिङ प्रशिक्षक भएर अफगानिस्तान लागे ।

थप समाचारका लागि यहाँ थिच्नुहोस् ।

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आईपीएलको अक्सन सूचीमा परे सन्दिप लामिछाने (नागरिक)

Posted on January 21, 2018 by Ujjwal Acharya

इण्डियन प्रिमियर लिग (आईपीएल) २०१८ का लागि खेलाडीको अक्सन सूची सार्वजनिक भएको छ। भारतीय क्रिकेट कन्ट्रोल बोर्डले शनिबार अपराह्न सार्वजनिक गरेको ५७८ जनाको सूचीमा नेपालबाट युवा क्रिकेटर सन्दिप लामिछाने छनोट भएका छन्। सूचीको २७६औं नम्बरमा रहेका सन्दिप एशोसियट राष्ट्रबाट छानिएका हुन्।

थप समाचारका लागि यहाँ थिच्नुहोस् ।

Posted in समाचार | Leave a comment

2018 WCL Div 2 Schedule Announced

Posted on January 21, 2018 by cricketnepal

Nepal will take on hosts Namibia in the curtain-raiser of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 at Affies Park, Windhoek (WAP) on February 8, 2018.

The six-team tournament – also consisting Kenya, Canada, Oman and UAE – is the qualifier for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018. The top two team from Division 2 will be the final two teams in the 10-nation WC Qualifier to be played in Zimbabwe in March.

The WC Qualifier in Zimbabwe will be battled by 10 teams – West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands, PNG, Afghanistan, Scotland and Hong Kong – with two finalists claiming the grand prize of the the World Cup qualification. Also on the stake is three ODI status – with Netherlands along with top 3 finishers from Associates getting the ODI status.

Nepal’s Schedule for WCL Div 2

February 8: Nepal vs Namibia at WAP

February 9: Nepal vs Oman at WAP

February 11: Nepal vs UAE at Trustco United

February 12: Nepal vs Kenya at Wanderers

February 14: Nepal vs Canada at Wanderers

February 15: Final or playoffs

Complete Fixture

fixture-icc-wcl-div2-500x281-2556466

Nepal to prepare in UAE

Nepal will play three practice matches in UAE with local teams as preparations for the tournament. The visit is managed by ICC as Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) is under suspension.

 

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सम्बन्ध जोड्दै क्रिकेट (अजय फुयाल, नागरिक)

Posted on January 20, 2018 by Ujjwal Acharya

मदन भण्डारी र सुशील कोइराला नेपाली राजनीतिका दुई विपरीत ध्रुवलाई नेतृत्व गर्ने नाम हुन् । पछिल्लो तीन दशकदेखि नेपाली राजनीतिमा सबभन्दा ठूला प्रतिद्वन्द्वीका रूपमा लड–भिड गर्दै आएका नेकपा एमाले र नेपाली कांग्रेस कमै मात्र एकअर्काप्रति सहिष्णु हुन्छन्।

यी दुईलाई विगतमा व्यवस्था नै परिवर्तन गर्ने उद्देश्यबाहेक सत्ताले मात्र एक ठाउँमा उभ्याउन सकेको छ । यस्तै दुई चिर प्रतिद्वन्द्वी दललाई प्रमुखका रूपमा नेतृत्व गर्नेहरूको नाम हो मदन भण्डारी र सुशील कोइराला । … तर यही समयमा यसअघि सत्ताबाहेकको स्वार्थमा कहिल्यै नमिलेका दुई दलको भावना खेलकुदले एकठाउँमा ल्याएको छ । शुक्रबार र शनिबार कीर्तिपुरमा मदन भण्डारी स्पोट्स एकेडेमीले गर्न लागेको ग्रान्ड क्रिकेट कार्निभलमा सुशील कोइराला स्मृति फाउन्डेसन सहयोगीका रूपमा आएको छ।

थप समाचारका लागि यहाँ थिच्नुहोस् ।

Posted in Uncategorized, समाचार | Leave a comment

DPL 2: Far West awaits generation-next Kathmandu

Posted on January 9, 2018 by cricketnepal

The second edition of much awaited Dhangadhi Premier League is set to roll from March 31 at the SSP Ground in Dhangadhi.

Initially scheduled for third week of January, the tournament was postponed after the fixture congestion due to National team’s poor performance in the WCLC. The team failed to stay in Top four of WCLC and hence will need to appear in Division 2. In order to book a place for World Cup Qualifiers, top two position in Division 2 is mandatory.

The scorching heat of Dhangadhi awaits six teams to face off again but with some tweaks, which will certainly develop the game in many ways. This time, the organizers have introduced 2 quota for foreign players. Emulating the recently held Everest Premier League (EPL) which ended up in a successful note after starred performance from some big names in Associate Cricket.

Biratnagar Warriors’ with firepower of two HongKong nationals Babar Hayat and Anshuman Rath won the title. But there was much more than just these two as the blend of Paras Khadka’s leadership and Anil Sah living up to his potential proved too much for opposition.

The cricketing scene since the last edition of DPL has changed a lot. The national team now has majority of youth players meaning the success during this period by the youth team hasn’t gone unnoticed. The youths have taken the domestic scene by storm and the DPL might be another chapter in this series of newfound generation.

Not long ago, Rupandehi Challengers under captaincy of Shakti Gauchan forged out Sahab Alam. Alam rose up from unfamiliar Dhangadi pitch to make his name in U19 team. Similarly, Rohit Kumar Paudel and Anil Sah have made up their names to the senior side after continuous improvement from DPL to U19 and then on EPL. Both these players are sure to hot up the Auction of DPL2 that is set to be held on February 8. Before that, the franchises will be announcing their strategic player who will not be going into auction.

The DPL2 winner will be taking home cash bounty of 2.5 million while the runners up will get 1 million. The total prize money totals up to 5 Million in total including Man of the match and Man of the series accolades. This meaning, the players will not only get to showcase their talent but along with it they will receive handsome amount if performance matches. The increment in the cash prize has been equally supported by the involvement if sponsors in the tournament. DPL2 recently signed sponsorship agreement with Ruslan which surely has a big role to play in a tournament with expected budget of 30 Million.

Twenty 20 cricket is a bit more than cricket and the ‘City of Cricket’ is slowly settling up for that. As the tournament nears, the city’s temperature will be soaring up high and cricket will only add up to it. The organizers are all buckled up and so are the players. The team owners are already on their thinking tables and all it reamins is to wait for the action as it unfolds.

Posted in National League | Leave a comment

Sagar, Binod axed from national team

Posted on January 4, 2018 by cricketnepal

Nepal announced a preliminary squad of 21 players for the ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournamnet to be held in Namibia from February 6 to 16, 2018.

The ICC WCL Div 2 teams include Canada, Oman, Kenya, UAE, Nepal and Namibia.

Sagar Pun and Binod Bhandari, two prominent players of the national team, failed to make to the preliminary squad. The selections were made by ICC’s representative Aminul Islam, head coach of the Nepal cricket team Jagat Tamata and captain Paras Khadka.

U-19 players Rashid Khan, Kishore Mahato, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, and Anil Kumar Sah have been included in the squad.

Similarly, right-handed opening batsman Sunil Dhamala and middle-order batsman Sidhhant Lohani have made a comeback in the team after some gap. Dilip Nath remains the only recognized wicketkeeper-batsman in the squad after the omission of Binod Bhandari.

The selected players include captain Paras Khadka, Gyanendra Malla, Rohit Kumar Poudel, Karan KC, Anil Kumar Shah, Basanta Regmi, Dilip Nath, Dipendra Singh Aire, Dipesh Shrestha, Lalit Bhandari, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi and Aarif Sekh.

Likewise, other probables are Shakti Gauchan, Sharad Vesawkar, Siddhanta Lohani, Sompal Kami, Rashid Khan, Kishore Mahato, Sandip Lamichhane, Sunil Dhamala and Sushan Bhari.

The finalists of the ICC WCL Div 2 will qualify for the 10-team 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers to be held in Zimbabwe, from March 2 to 25, to battle out for last two remaining berths for the 2019 World Cup. The finalists will join West Indies, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.

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Poor batting as Nepal slump to second defeat

Posted on December 8, 2017 by icc

Adnan Mufti’s maiden century coupled with a disciplined bowling performance helped United Arab Emirates record a 63-run victory over Nepal in its ICC World Cricket League Championship match at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday (December 8).

Chasing 196 for a win, Nepal was all out for 132 in 42.2 overs after the UAE bowlers chipped away at the wickets at regular intervals.

Put into bat, the hosts did not have the greatest of starts after Sompal Kami, the right-arm seamer, snuffed out the top order to leave UAE reeling at 24 for 4. Kami dismissed Rohan Mustafa (8), Dilip Nath (4), Ghulam Shabber (0) and Rameez Shahzad (3) within the first 14 overs.

Paras Khadka, the medium pacer, then scalped Muhammad Usman (5) as UAE was staring down the barrel with the scorecard reading 39 for 5.

But it was Mufti who changed the course of the game slamming his way to an 89-ball 104. Not just did he score more than 50 percent of the runs for UAE, his crucial 80-run partnership with Mohammad Boota (37 off 73 balls) ensured that his side would end with a modest total on board.

Boota bid his time and seemed content to play second fiddle to Mufti, before being cleaned up by Sagar Pun, the offspinner. Mufti, on the other hand, slammed eight boundaries and three sixes before falling to Kami.

Sandeep Lamichhane, the legspinner, and Lalit Bhandari, the left-arm medium pacer, then prised out the tail as UAE finished with 195 from 49. 2 overs.

Nepal’s bowling scorecard was impressive with Kami leading the pack with a five-wicket haul and also effecting a run out. He finished with figures of 5 for 27 from his ten overs while Pun, Bhandari and Lamichhane finished with a wicket apiece.

In the chase, opener Gyanendra Malla (42 off 90 balls) top-scored for Nepal but no batsman could convert starts into substantial knocks.

Amjad Javed, the medium pacer, set the tone by dismissing Dilip Nath (0), the other opener, and Sharad Vesawkar (13) early.

Sagar Pun (21) and Binod Bhadari (25) got off to starts but were unable to convert them to big scores and take their team across the line. When Malla became the fifth wicket to fall, castled by legspinner Imran Haider, with only 91 runs on board in the 31st over, Nepal’s hopes crashed.

Mohammad Naveed, the medium pacer, and Rohan Mustafa, the offspinner, skittled out the tail who hardly offered any resistance.

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Vesawkar’s 81 in vain as UAE beat Nepal

Posted on December 6, 2017 by icc

United Arab Emirates rode on fifties from Rohan Mustafa and Ghulam Shabber to register a seven-wicket victory over Nepal in the ICC World Cricket League Championship match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on December 6.

Chasing 222 for a win, UAE was off to a brisk start with Mustafa, the skipper, setting the tone with a stroke-filled 62 off 71 balls. He added 42 runs for the opening wicket with Ashfaq Ahmed (19), before he found an ally in Shabber, the wicketkeeper-batsman, to put on 81 for the second wicket.

Shabber himself composed a patient 81 not out off 116 deliveries, getting together with Rameez Shahzad (37 off 47 balls) for another handy partnership of 67 for the third wicket.

He stuck around till the end, with Mohammed Usman (17 n.o.) for company, as UAE reached the target in 45.5 overs.

Earlier, put in, Nepal rode on half-centuries from Gyanendra Malla and Sharad Vesawkar to post 221 for 6.

Malla (54 off 83 balls) and Dilip Nath (16), the openers, got Nepal off to a decent start, but it was Vesawkar at No.3 who did the bulk of the scoring later on. He compiled a unbeaten 81 off 95 deliveries, which included five boundaries.

Just as Vesawkar was building a partnership with Paras Khadka (20), the Nepal skipper, Zahoor Khan, the medium-pacer, had Khadka caught by Ahmed Raza.

That triggered a mini collapse as Nepal went from 122 for 3 to 134 for 5.

Sompal Kami, the medium-pacer, then scored a run-a-ball 20 and added 47 runs for the seventh wicket with Veswakar.

For UAE, Zahoor finished with 2 for 48, while Raza, the left-arm spinner, was the most economical, giving away just 23 runs from his ten overs.

The victory meant UAE now has eight points from 13 games and is seventh on the points table, while Nepal is sixth with nine points.

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Rain the villain for Nepal at Women’s World T20 Asia Qualifiers

Posted on November 27, 2017 by icc

Nepal finished third in the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 Asia Qualifiers and failed to qualify further in Thailand due to rain washing out first two matches and a surprise loss.

Rain plays villain

On first day on November 20 at the TCG between Thailand and Nepal finished as a no-result after 3.4 overs of the second innings. Batting first, the Thai girls were given a stiff test by Nepal as they lost five wickets for 42 before recovering to 90 for six in their 20 overs thanks to an unbeaten 23 from Naruemol Chaiwai. The sky was darkening as Nepal started their chase and rain finally intervened after 3.4 overs with the score on 10 for no wicket. Players and officials remained at the ground but the chances of a resumption looked bleak and the umpires finally called off the match with both sides gaining one point.

On second day on November 22, the match between Hong Kong and Nepal was abandoned without a ball bowled.

A Surprise Loss

On Third day on November 23, UAE surprised Nepal by five runs. Nepal faced UAE at AIT. UAE were soon in trouble against the new ball as they were reduced to 10 for 4 as Rubina Chhetry and Ritu Kanoujiya both took two early wickets.Opener Esha Oza led the recovery with Natasha Cherriath who had first played for her country when she was 12 years old and after the Oza was out for 22 from 27 balls, Nisha Ali also batted well in a sixth-wicket stand of 37 as UAE made a determined 79 for 7 in 20 overs.

Nepal needed to bat sensibly to chase down a target of 80 but they were the higher ranked team and were favourites to win. UAE are a confident side and sensed they had a chance of victory when Nisha Ali took two wickets in the second over and Nary Thapa was then out first ball as Nepal slipped to 11 for 3.

Nepal are the more experienced side at this level and knew if they could build a partnership they could still win the match, but they lost wickets regularly as all Humairia Tasneem’s bowling changes seemed to bring a wicket The captain herself took two crucial wickets as she claimed 2 for 10 and Nisha Ali returned to bowl two economical overs to keep the pressure up.

The match still went down to the final over and Ritu Kanojiya was still capable of winning the match for Nepal as she had hit two boundaries and was on strike with 10 needed from the last six balls. She hit a two from the first ball and kept the strike even though a wicket was lost to a run out.

Tasneem then dropped a catch as she stretched at mid-wicket but the number 11 could not score from the last three balls as Nepal finished on 74 for 9. UAE had beaten the fancied Nepal side by five runs and Nisha Ali was named player of the match for her 17 runs and figures of two for 10. Nepal are still looking for their first win of the tournament but UAE now stand in third place on four points after winning two matches out of three.

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Victory Against Malaysia and China

Nepal put the disappointment of UAE defeat behind them to gain their first victory of the tournament as they beat Malaysia by 33 runs at AIT on November 24.

Sita Magar hit 37 from 42 balls to help her side reach an impressive total of 108 for 6 and although Malaysia built a solid platform thanks to the efforts of opener Emylia Eliani who made a determined 24 from 40 balls but the Malaysian middle-order could not keep up with a required rate that soon headed above eight runs per over. Malaysia finished on 75 for 7 and Nepal moved into fourth place in the table on four points and are still well in contention to reach the third place play-off.

On November 26, Nepal defeated China by 50 runs at AIT. China had done well in the field for most of Nepal’s innings but Rubina Chhetry saw her side through to a total of 102 for 8 with a cameo of 18* from 14 balls in the final overs. Zhang Xiangxue took 3 for 19 but China couldn’t get close to the target once the consistent Zhou Caiyun was out for 10.

Player of the match Sabnam Rai took 3 for 7 and Rubina Chhetry 3 for 11 as China were bowled out for 52 in 18.2 overs. Nepal finished ahead of Hong Kong in third place while Malaysia were fifth and China sixth.

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Nepal Wins Third-Place Playoff

The play-off for third place was contested between Nepal who had finished third in the table and Hong Kong who finished fourth and it was Nepal who took the honours as they claimed a comfortable victory by 36 runs. Nepal gained some consolation for missing out on reaching the after suffering defeat to UAE by only five runs.

Hong Kong won the toss and elected to field and the move seemed to have paid dividends as captain Mariko Hill, who had taken 3 for 17 the previous day against Thailand, claimed the wickets of both openers, Jyoti Pandey and Sita Magar. Left-hander Nary Thapa came to the crease at a precarious position of 7 for 2 but was soon into her stride and found useful support from Kujal Shrestra as the score reached 37 for 2 after 10 overs.

Shrestra was out soon afterwards but Thapa continued in fine fashion as she hit five boundaries in her 38 from 34 balls. Karuna Bhandari and Rubina Chhetry batted well at the end of the innings to score 22 in the last three overs so Nepal would have been confident of defending a total of 94 for 5. Hong Kong struggled from the start and Bhandari took the most important wicket when she dismissed Mariko Hill who had made 48 in an earlier match.

Wickets fell regularly and Bhandari returned the best figures with 3 for 10 in her 4 overs and there were three run outs as Hong Kong’s lower order found run-scoring a difficult proposition. Hong Kong were bowled out for 58 from 19.5 overs as Nepal showed what might have been with an impressive victory by 36 runs.

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Rain washes out Nepal vs Hong Kong

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Ujjwal Acharya

 

Nepal is relegated to the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 after rain washed out second match between Nepal versus Hong Kong in the sixth round of ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC).

Both sides had to share a point each after the match was called off. Nepal now lies sixth on the table with nine points from 12 matches while Hong Kong is 4th on the table with 14 points from a same number of matches. Two points are awarded for winning a match in WCLC.

Nepal matches against UAE in the final stage of the championship will only serve as friendly-series with both the teams already relegated to DIvision 2.

The top four sides of the championship will play the World Cup Qualifiers while the bottom four sides are relegated to Division II.

Nepal is set to feature in Division 2 to be organized in Namibia in February, 2018. The top two sides in the competition will reach the World Cup Qualifiers and join the bottom four Test teams and top four teams of ongoing WCLC.

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Hong Kong register win as Nepal batted poorly in WCLC

Posted on October 13, 2017 by cricketnepal

Nepal lost to Hong Kong by 83 runs in the ICC World Cricket League Championship round six match at the Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok.

Spinner Ehsan Khan registered his career-best figures of five wickets for 17 runs wrapping up the last five batsmen after pace bowlers Aizaz Khan and Tanwir Afzal dent early blows to the Nepal chase.

Aizaz Khan was the enforcer-in-chief claiming important wickets inducing poor shot selections. Skipper Paras Khadka made the top-score for Nepal with 26 runs to his name including three fours, before falling prey to an inswinging delivery. Nepal’s vice-captain Gyanendra Malla had a decent start but failed to capitalize as he was dismissed mistiming an uppish drive on an Aizaz delivery on 21. Dipendra, who was given caught behind for an unconvincing decision by umpire Ian Thompson, shortly returned to pavilion for three runs.

Aarif Sheikh and Sompal Kami, however, tried to calm the storm but fell to spinner Ehsan Khan, who was bowling in all the right areas. Sheikh was adjudged LBW to a regular off-spinner while Sompal’s mistimed sweep was brilliantly caught at short mid-on by Aizaz.

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Photo Courtesy: Rama Shiwakoti

Binod Bhandari restored some grace but was short-lived when he was caught at the longest part of the ground for 18 runs. He was the only batsman for Nepal to score a six in the match.
Nepal was all out for 111 runs in 34.5 overs conceding the first match to Hong Kong by a margin of 83 runs for a race to top four of the WCLC table.

Earlier, Nepal won the toss and elected to field. Sharad Vesawkar was ruled out ill and was replaced by debutant Susan Bhari. Opening bowlers Sompal Kami and Karan KC delivered a disciplined spell of bowling resulting in the crucial wicket of Anshuman Rath for a ten-ball-duck. Rath is the highest scorer of ongoing ICC WCLC.

It was a well-worked wicket as Karan KC persisted with a slightly shorter length with a line angling away from the left-hander. It tested Rath’s patience as Malla completed the catch at the second slip. HK lost their first wicket in the fourth over without adding any runs on the board.

Skipper Babar Hayat joined Jamie Atkinson at the crease and both carried a short partnership, especially Hayat counter attacking 35 runs from next six overs. He fell to a sharp fielding effort by Airee from mid-off region.

It was all spinners’ show after the Hayat wicket. The next two batsmen Nizakat Khan and Waqas Khan were stumped out by Sandeep Lamichhane and Basant Regmi respectively. They went to pick three and two wickets in their respective miserly spells that kept HK batsmen in check throughout the innings.

Jamie Atkinson made a well constructed 76 runs holding an end of the HK batting innings smashing nine fours and a six as wickets fell from the other end.

It was the late cameo by pinch-hitter Tanwir Afzal scoring 38 runs including three fours and three sixes that rescued HK from a slump of eight wickets for 144 runs after Jamie Atkinson fell.
HK was all out for 194 runs in the last delivery of the innings.

Karan KC bowled well with the new ball and was also equally effective in the slog overs picking up a wicket each in either part of the innings. Debutant Susan Bhari chipped in with a maiden and an important wicket of Jamie Atkinson.

Nepal, with eight points from 11 matches, is sitting at the sixth position while Hong Kong has moved on to the ICC World Cup qualifiers spot at the fourth position with 13 points from same number of matches.

Nepal plays their next and final match of the sixth round on October 15.

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