Record partnership from Paudel, KC powers Nepal to four wins in row

By A Staff Reporter

Kathmandu, Feb 22 : A record ninth-wicket partnership between Captain Rohit Paudel and Karan KC powered Nepal to a thrilling two-wicket win over ICC World Cricket League-2 Champions Scotland held at TU Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on Tuesday. 

Chasing the medium target of 213 runs forwarded by the visitors, Nepal tottered to 138/8 in 31.5 overs. Paudel played a captain’s knock to keep the run ticking on the scoreboard despite not getting a good partnership from his teammates. 

Tail-ender Karan KC, eventually, played the role of second fiddle with his captain for the unbeaten 75 runs partnership to give Nepal a back-to-back fourth victory in the League 2 series with 35 balls to spare.  The 75-run became the highest ninth ODI partnership for Nepal. 

Paudel clubbed seven boundaries and four maximums in his 101-ball 95 knocks. He also achieved his seventh ODI fifty. 

He had hit a half-century against the USA and PNG twice. His other two half-centuries came against Namibia and the UAE.

KC remained at the crease with 31 runs. He hit two boundaries and one six off 37 balls. 

After leading Nepal to a fourth consecutive win, Captain Paudel said the partnership with his senior Karan KC made the victory possible.

"I and KC made a plan to collect a single run as we have plenty of balls to play.  As per the plan, my senior KC supported me and we achieved the target easily despite losing wickets in regular intervals," Captain Paudel said.

Paudel added that the toss also played a vital role in Nepal’s back-to-back win. "Toss played a vital role at T.U Cricket Ground. The pitch in the morning is favourable for the bowlers." 

“We will continue our winning attitude in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) too. We also plan to come up with improved performance there. We will travel to the UAE this week,

Nepali batters' inconsistency was exposed after openers Kushal Bhurtel (1) and Aasif Sheikh (23-ball 12) were out cheaply. 

Gyanendra Malla was back in the pavilion adding 21 runs off 30 balls. Kushal Malla managed to add 28-ball 17. 

Left-arm spinner Mark Watt was the major tormentor of Nepali batters as the Scot scalped three wickets conceding 29 runs from his spell of 10 overs.  

Leggie Chris Greaves took two wickets for the League-2 champions. Brandon McMullen, Safyaan Sharf and Michael Leask also grabbed one wicket apiece to unsettle Nepal’s batting.

Earlier, Nepal won the toss and invited Scotland to bat first. The four-wicket haul from Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and three wickets from Karan KC dismissed Scotland in 46.1 overs for a medium score of 212 runs.  

Pacer KC joined the 50-wicket club after finishing with 52 ODI wickets. Lamichhane, who bagged his 82 ODI wickets today and Sompal Kami, who has 52 wickets, are the other two bowlers at the 50-wicket club.

Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Malla also picked one wicket each for Nepal.

George Munsey contributed at the top for the visitors with 60 runs off 50 balls. His batting included nine boundaries and two sixes. Matthew Cross hammered four fences and one maximum to chip in with 42 runs off 63 balls. Brandon McMullen (48-ball 31), Opener Kyle Coetzer (23-ball 22) and Christopher McBride (30-ball 22) were other double-digit scorers for Scotland.

The clean sweep of the series kept Nepal’s chance of securing ODI Status alive.  Nepal still needs six wins from its remaining eight matches of the league-II to secure the ODI status.

Scotland concluded the League-2 series finishing at the top with an unassailable 50 points lead and grabbed the World Cup Qualifiers spot.  Oman, with 44 points, claimed the second position.   

With four consecutive defeats in Kathmandu, Namibia’s third place is at risk. With two matches in hand, Namibia has 37 points. The fourth place USA has 35 points playing all 36 matches. 

The UAE  (27 points from 26 matches) and Nepal (26 points from 28 matches) could replace Namibia and USA from their respective positions.  

Bottom-placed PNG (5 points from 28 matches) are relegated from League-2.