CAN XI make it two in a row

The Himalayan TimesKathmandu, July 1:Kanishka Chaugain scored a successive half century as Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) XI defeated Australian Old Collegians by 26 runs in the second of the three-match friendly cricket series here today.

Batting first after winning the toss at the Tribhuvan University Stadium, CAN XI accumulated 159 runs losing seven wickets in 25 overs and then restricted the Australian team for 133-5 to registered their second victory in as many matches.

The home team had a dream start when openers Chaugain and Sharad Vesawkar put on 93 runs for the first wicket. Skipper Vesawkar was the first to return to the pavilion after scoring 38 off 40 balls hitting three sixes.

Chaugain, who scored 55 runs in the first match on Monday, top-scored for the home team with 54 off 55 balls that included four boundaries and two sixes. Raj Kumar Pradhan scored 14, while Prithu Baskota and Rahul Kumar BK scored 10 runs each.

Darren Fletcher took 3-6 off two overs and Devon Singh claimed 2-26 off five overs for the Australian team. In reply, man of the match Fletcher scored an unbeaten 58 off 66 balls hitting two fours and five sixes. Josh Chulian scored 28 and Ben Cole made 20 for the visiting team.

For CAN XI, Rahul Kumar BK took 2-34 off five overs, while Ritesh Singh and Sharad Vesawkar claimed one wicket each.