Nepal maintain stranglehold

THE KATHMANDU POST REPORT, April 23 -

Nepal maintained their domination over the old rival Malaysia in the 2009 edition of ACC U-10 Elite Cup Cricket Tournament as well. The defending champions clinched a comprehensive six-wicket win over Malaysia on Thursday, showing that the four-time defending champions are hungry for more.

The only department of the game Malaysia beat Nepal in was the toss as they gave the title holders a big jolt by deciding to bat thus denying the opponents their tired and tested way of success.

Malaysia set up a target of 204 in 46.5 overs in the match reduced to 48 overs due to late start. A captain’s innings from Gyanendra Malla who remained unbeaten at 86 runs had Nepal reach the target in 46.4 overs at the loss of four wickets. Nepal usually finds it difficult to chase. But a collective effort form Antim Thapa (37) opener Sunny Pun (26) and Anil Mandal (14) saw the defending champions cruise to back to back victory with ease.

Nepal out beat Malaysia in all three departments of the game. Four of the Malaysian batsmen were run out.

Eariler, left arm pace bowler Amrit Bhattarai who had sizzled with the bat took three wickets. Likewise, 90 runs from Keithan and 31 runs from Sarif saw Malaysia get past 200 runs. Anil Mandal took two wickets while Sagar Khadka grabbed one. Nepal play their third group match against Singapore.

www.cricketkuwait.com reports:

Top favorites Nepal were quite comfortably chased a decent Malaysian total of 203 at Unity ground at Ahmadi. Electing to bat first, Malaysia lost their most prolific scorer Faris Almas quite early and it was Shafiq Sharif and Keithan Goonasegharan who steadily built up a 67 runs partnership. Keithan excelled in his drives and pulled with awesome power. The stylish right hander stroked a handsome 90 runs which contained 7 hits to the fence. Shafiq scored 31 runs & Mohammed Nowira hit a quickfire 21 runs
which enabled Malaysia to post 203 runs in 47 overs . Amrit Bhattarai was the most successful Nepali bowler capturing 3 for 38. Anil Mandal took 2 for 40.
Sunny Pun & Anil Mandal gave Nepal a good start and as the partnership was flourishing, Sunny Pun was out for 26 runs and Anil Mandal wa superbly caught by Faris for 14 runs. It was Antip Thapa & Ghyanedra Malla who played with their heads down to ost a match winning partnership of 79 runs.
Ghyanendra drove and cut with superb timing and danced down the pitch to clout the spinners. Malla remained not out with 86 runs which contained 10 fours. Antip Thapa scored 37 runs and Aakash Gupta hit a useful 24 runs. Nepal scored 205 runs in the 47th overs.