Nepal wins 2nd practice match as well

THE KATHMANDU POST

KATHMANDU, July 18 - Nepal won the second practice cricket match in Sri Lanka defeating Sri Lanka Board XI team by four wickets at the World Bens Club Ground, Colombo on Friday.

Electing to bat first, the host team scored 173 in 49.2 overs - the target Nepal achieved in the 40th over losing six wickets. On Thursday, Nepal defeated Sri Lanka Cricket Colts XI by two runs in a 45-over match.

For Friday’s victory, Kanishka Chaugai, who had led Nepal U-19 team to plate championship victory in the island country two years ago, scored 62 runs while Shakti Gauchan got 47 runs. Vice-captain Paras Khadka played a handy knock of 26 runs.

Captain Binod Das led the bowling by example taking three wickets for 28 runs in his 10 overs while Sarad Vesawkar, who claimed four wickets on Thursday, took two wickets. Paras and Raj Kumar Pradhan each grabbed a wicket as Nepal inflicted three run outs.

Nepal scheduled to play in the ACC Elite Cup 2008 in Malaysia from July 25 will play its last practice match on Monday.

Vesawkar stars for Nepal

THE KATHAMANDU POST REPORT

KATHMANDU, July 17 - Sharad Vesawkar put up an all-round show as Nepal edged Sri Lanka Cricket Board Colts XI by two runs in a practice match played at the St Sebastian College Ground on Thursday.

Vesawkar made a classy fifty as Nepal made 248/7 in 45 overs after being put in to bat and then returned with the cherry to scalp four wickets to restrict the Lankans to 246/8 in 45 overs. Nepal owed the big score to a solid 78-run opening start provided by Mahesh Chhetri and Kaniska Chaugain. Chhetri made 52 off 66 balls while Chaugain, making a come back after returning from the United States on a holiday, hit 43 off 55 with five fours and a six.

After the fall of openers and Dipendra Chaudhary (0), Vesawkar forged up a crucial partnership with Gyanendra Malla, who made 29 off 24 with a boundary and two sixes, to maintain the momentum. Vesawkar hit three fours and one six in his unbeaten 61-ball innings of 54. Allrounder Paras Khadka (26 off 30) and Shakti Gauchan (28* off 27) then gave Vesawkar company to build up a formidable total. Mehboob Alam (1) and Basanta Regmi (0) were the other batsmen who got chance to bat. Haroon Majood took 4/58 in nine overs for the Lankan side.

Chasing the imposing target, the Lankans also made a great start with openers Trevin Fernando (45 off 71) and Rajitha Mendis (51 off 50) adding 88 runs in 17 overs. But Vesawkar turned up with a brilliant nine-over spell taking 4/45 to fashion the narrow win.

Sanjam Regmi and Paras were the other wicket-takers getting a wicket each for Nepal which is preparing for the ACC Elite Cup to be held in Malaysia later this month.