Nepal seal T20I Series 3-2 with 31-run win over Kenya

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Aug 31 : Nepal defeated Kenya by 31 runs to clinch the T20I Series by 3-2 in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The five match-series was decided in the last game after Kenya tied it 2-2 by defeating Nepal by seven runs in a low-scoring match on Monday.

The series was a see-saw battle as Nepal won the first match by five wickets but Kenya clinched the second by winning with 18 runs. Nepal again bounced back to take the third match by four wickets.

Nepal and Kenya will be playing three unofficial fifty-over matches in the bilateral series. 

A half-century knock from Gyanendra Malla and an explosive batting from Rohit Paudel helped Nepal post a commanding target of 176 runs.

Kenya, in the run chase, managed to collect 144/7 in 20 overs.

Nehemiah Odhiambo top scored for Kenya with 22-ball 37 that included four boundaries and one six.

Captain Shem Ngoche remained not out as he tried to catapult Kenya with his explosive 18-ball 33 knocks. He hit two maximums and three fours. Nelson Odhiambo also remained not out with 5-ball 13 that included one six and one four.

Opener Collins Obuya (30-ball 23) and Irfan Karim (29-ball 28) were other double-digit scorers for the home team.  

Captain Sandeep Lamichhane and Basir Ahamad grabbed two wickets each for Nepal. Lamichhane was adjudged Man of the Series.

Dipendra Singh Airee, Mohammad Aadil Alam, and Karan KC contributed one wicket apiece for Nepal.

Electing to bat first at Gymkhana Club, Nepal lost seven wickets in 20 overs to amass 175 runs.

Malla, who came as an opener today, smashed five boundaries and two sixes in his cameo of 44-ball 59. He achieved his second T20I fifty off 41 balls. Before returning to the dugout in 14.2 overs, Malla put up a 65-run first-wicket stand with Arjun Saud. Malla was named man of the match.

Opener Saud clubbed one six and four boundaries in his brisk 21-ball 29 knock. He was stumped out in the eighth over after giving a good start for Nepal.

Malla again teamed up with Dipendra Singh Airee to add 40 runs for the second wicket partnership. After Vraj Patel made Malla catch out by Rakib Patel when Nepal was 125/3, Deputy Captain Paudel led the charge with his quick-fire 25-ball 47 and led the visitors to 173/7.  

Paul hit seven balls to the fences before being caught by Sukhdeep Singh off Nehemiah Odhiambo in the 19.4 overs.

Airee contributed with 22 runs off 18 deliveries that included three fences.

Pawan Sarraf (1), playing in number four, was bowled for a cheap score. Mohammad Aadil Alam (4) and Bibek Yadav (2) also returned to the dugout quickly. Karan KC was not out with two runs.

Odhiambo, Shem Ngoche, and Vraj Patel each picked two wickets for the host.