Nepal loses final group-stage match against bottom-placed Baroda

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 6: Nepal’s senior squad lost the final group-stage match of the SMS Friendship Cup against Baroda in Vapi, Gujarat, on Friday. Despite losing the match by 37 runs, Nepal still progressed to the final scheduled on April 7.

With Friday’s match, the group matches played in a double round-robin format among Nepal, Gujarat and Baorda came to an end. Playing four matches each, Nepal is in the top with three wins and is followed by Gujarat with two wins. 

Meanwhile, Baroda, after losing three matches, bounced back in the final group match defeating the top-positioned Nepal. As per the fixtures, the top two teams – Nepal and Gujarat – will play in the final for the SMS Friendship Cup at Sai Meghpan Sporrtslife Cricket Ground.

Baroda was playing the second match against Nepal after losing the first one. The team was extremely looking for a win; had they not, they would have ended the tournament without a single win.

Baroda’s batsmen did not perform well with the bat; however, a decent inning from many helped the team post the target of 157 against Nepal.

Shahswat Rawat’s 31 off 27, Dhruv Patel’s 29 off 14 and Amit Pasi’s 26 off 24 were the best scores by Baroda. The Ranji team lost eight wickets to reach 156 by the end of 20 overs. Gulshan Jha and Karan KC bagged two wickets each while Pratish GC took one for Nepal.

Starting the chase fiercely, Kushal Bhurtel and Anil Kumar Sah could not continue the form. After Anil falling as the first wicket, Nepal went on to lose all 10 wickets by 18.5 overs.

Sundeep Jora and Bibek Yadav were the only batsmen that troubled Baroda as it was getting difficult to break their partnership. However, Bibek got out after adding 17 off 26. Meanwhile, Nepal was still in the chase as Kushal Malla was finally entering the crease after the fall of the sixth wicket. 

Nevertheless, after Sundeep’s departure, Nepal was out of the chase. Sundeep added 56 off 43. Dhruv Patel took a four-wicket haul while Lakshit Toksiya took two and Jay Abhale took one for Baroda.