Nepal's preparation in SL hit by rain and loss

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 7: On September 1, Nepal’s 19-member squad left for Sri Lanka to play three ODs (One Day) against the hosts’ Development Squad as practice matches for the upcoming tri-series of the CWC League 2 (2024-2026). However, two of the ODs were cancelled due to rain and Nepal lost in the third and final OD played on Friday.

The fixtures were revised a day before the first OD on September 3 due to unfavourable weather. As per the revised schedule, the second OD slated for September 5 was rescheduled for September 4.

Nevertheless, both the first and second ODs scheduled on September 3 and 4 respectively were cancelled due to bad weather. Thus, the Nepali squad could not get the chance to play and improve their game.

And when the weather was favourable on the day of the third OD on Friday, Nepal badly lost to the host. Sri Lanka Development Squad invited Nepal to bat first after winning the toss. With only the Kushal-duo scoring the runs, Nepal failed to set a defendable target on foreign soil. Moreover, Nepal was playing by resting captain Rohit Kumar Paudel; Sompal Kami was the captain in the match.

Nepal started losing wickets early but opener Kushal Bhurtel was keeping the runs flowing. Bhurtel scored 43 off 50 before departing in the 20th over as the fourth wicket. Nepal was then at 85/4.

After Bhurtel’s wicket, Kushal Malla entered the crease to partner with Aarif Sheikh, who was then at 19 off 28. Aarif departed for 20 off 33 and he was followed by Sompal (2 off 3) and Gulshan Jha (5 runs).

Malla was sent back to the pavilion as the eighth wicket after scoring 35 off 55. By the 40th over, Nepal was all-out at 159. Garuka Sanketh of Sri Lanka took four wickets against Nepal while giving 39 runs.

Skipper Sompal took two early wickets in the first five overs to give hope to Nepal; yet, K. Sanjula turned the tides single-handedly.

Sanjula could not stay notout, but he added 68 off 60 for the host. Sri Lanka lost a total of five wickets before chasing the target successfully in 26.5 overs. 

The tour of Sri Lanka was a preparation for the CWC League 2. Nepal is playing their second tri-series of the League against Oman and Canada later this month in North America. The squad is expected to return to Nepal soon for more training before leaving for Canada.