League 2: Nepal to face Namibia

Nepal is set to face Namibia on Wednesday under the triangular series of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2. The game will start from 9:30 am at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur. 

Earlier on Feb 15, Nepal lost the inaugural match of the League 2 to Namibia by four wickets. Chasing a target of 133 runs posted by Nepal, Namibia had met it in 33.1 overs at the loss of six wickets. 

The home side bounced back and trounced Netherlands in the second match of the series on Feb 17. Nepal won the game by nine wickets. Netherlands managed to score 137 runs in 39 overs, losing all their wickets in the process. Nepal chased 138-run target in just 15.2 overs, losing only one wicket. 

In the third match on Monday, Netherlands defeated Namibia by seven wickets. Netherlands met the target of 124 runs posted by Namibia in 27.2 overs at the loss of three wickets.

Wednesday’s match between Nepal and Namibia will be the fourth one in the tri-series. Currently, all three teams have played two matches each, with each team having one loss and one win. All three teams hold two points each, but Nepal is leading the points table with the highest net run rate (0.92).

Friendship Cup T20

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced the Friendship Cup T20 Tri-Series scheduled to start on March 31. The tournament will feature Nepal competing against teams from Indian states—Gujarat and Baroda in Vapi, Gujarat.

Nepal is set to kick off the series by facing Gujarat on the opening day. Nepal’s second match with Gujarat is scheduled for April 3. Also, Nepal will encounter Baroda on April 2 and 5. Gujarat and Baroda will face each other on April 1 and 4. The final match is scheduled for April 7.

Nepal A clinches first victory

In the second one-day innings, Nepal A secured a historic victory by defeating Canada XI by two wickets in a match held at Mulpani Cricket Ground on Tuesday. This marks the team’s first-ever win. The home side successfully chased a target of 241 runs, losing eight wickets in the process, concluding at 49.1 overs.

With this triumph, Nepal has leveled the 3-match series at 1-1. The decisive match of the series is scheduled for Feb 22. Nepal suffered a four-wicket defeat in the initial match on Feb 18.

Captain Sundeep Jora and Bashir Ahamad played pivotal roles in Nepal’s victory, both contributing half-centuries. In the earlier innings, after losing the toss and opting to bat first, Canada was bowled out for 240 runs with just one ball remaining. Shreyas Movva emerged as the top scorer for Canada, accumulating 68 runs.

Shahab Alam claimed three wickets, while Sher Mall and Rashid Khan each secured two wickets during Nepal’s bowling effort.