Nepal lose to Pakistan but alive in race for semi-finals

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 28: Nepal lost to the host Pakistan in the visitor's final league-stage match of the 4th Blind Cricket T20 World Cup on Wednesday. 

Pakistan defeated Nepal by 10 wickets at Ghani Institute of Cricket, DHA Lahore. Despite Wednesday's loss, the third of the tournament, Nepal’s semi-finals hope is still alive.

While seven teams were to participate in the fourth edition, India, winners of the last three editions, withdrew after a red light from the government reducing the active participation to six.

 As the fixtures were already decided, the six teams were awarded the win in their respective games against India.

Thus, with an awarded win, two wins through the bat and ball and three losses, Nepal currently stands at the fourth position with six points. Nepal's two wins came against Afghanistan and South Africa. 

As per the tournament format, the top four teams progress to the semi-finals. Nepal is the first team to complete the league stage. 

Pakistan, with four wins in four matches, is at the top and is followed by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with four wins in five matches each. 

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all have eight points each but the host has a far better net run rate, and Nepal has no chance of outperforming the top three with no game remaining. 

On the other hand, South Africa and Afghanistan are below Nepal with two points each in four matches. The duo's two points came from the awarded win against India. With two games in hand for the duo, South Africa and Afghanistan have a chance to topple Nepal for the fourth position. 

Nevertheless, only one of the two has the chance as South Africa and Afghanistan have one of their two fixtures against each other, on November 29.

Then, Afghanistan faces Pakistan, and South Africa faces Bangladesh on November 30. In the end, the winner between Afghanistan and South Africa will have to win their final league stage match at a rate that surpasses Nepal's net run rate to have a shot for the semis.

10-wicket loss to host

Batting first in DAH Lahore, Nepal posted a target of 101 runs in the game, which was reduced to 18 overs. Nepal lost five wickets to post the total.

Opener Bharat Thapa stayed not out throughout the first inning with 39 off 46 while his partner Naresh Chaudhary departed for 17 off 17. With 19 extras and some contribution from the middle order, Nepal could reach the three-digit mark.

Pakistan used 10 bowlers against Nepal, four of whom took wickets. The team was also better with the bat as Pakistan chased the total in only 6.4 overs.

The aggressive knock of 73 off 30 by Pakistani opener Naimat Ullah and his partner M. Safdar's 24 off 14 helped the host chase the total without much struggle.