Chasing a target of 219 runs, Khadka and Malla put up an unbeaten 116-run partnership for the fifth wicket to guide Nepal to the 6-wicket victory. Khadka struck 63 runs off 35 balls including six sixes and two boundaries while Malla had all his guns blazing as he scored 67 off just 21 balls. Malla hit nine sixes and a boundary in the small ground of Ahmed Ali Stadium.[break]
Nepal was batting at 108/4 by the end of the 14th over but Malla and Khadka not only punished some poor bowling but also showed attitude to add 114 runs in 5.3 overs.
Malla hit a six in the third ball of the last over by Manju Nath to sign off the match in style.
“We had the license to play big shots as we were chasing 219 for victory. As we went on playing, we struck boundaries and sixes and that gave us the confidence,” said Khadka.
“As this is a small ground, the batsmen can afford to play big shots. We played confidently as we had good batsmen like Prithu (Baskota) and Pradeep (Airee) behind us,” he added.
Opener Mahesh Chhetry (26 runs) and Anil Mandal (31 runs) put up 51-run stand for the first wicket. Sharad Vesawkar added 18 runs for Nepali team while Binod Bhandari got out for duck.
Nikil Kashyap (4-1-40-3) was the most successful bowler for the Indian side while it was nightmare for Manju Nath with a bowling figure of 2.3-0-56-0.
Photo Courtesy: Nepal Sports Journalists Forum
Earlier, KIC India put up 218/4 in 20 overs as its No 4 Rahul Bhatkal scored unbeaten 99 runs. Kashyap remained not out at 45 while opener Nishanth Singh struck 43 runs.
Nepali skipper Khadka grabbed three wickets while Prithu Baskota claimed one.
Khadka was awarded the man-of-the-match trophy for his all-round performance.
“I am feeling very good. This is what we wanted and the boys did it. This victory is a real boost for us for our ACC T20 campaign as every hard-earned success works as a booster.
We needed a good start and the boys played well,” said Nepal´s Coach Pubudu Dassanayake. “After losing a couple of wickets, we made a plan to change the momentum of the match and the players executed that brilliantly. We got a victory over a team from Test playing nation and I cannot ask for more from these boys,” he added.
Skipper Khadka credited all his teammates for the victory. “Batting wise, we played very well. This win was possible with the contribution of all the team members,” said Khadka.
Nepal had lost its opening match against Sri Lanka by 76 runs two days ago. Nepal will take on Pakistan on Saturday in their last group stage match.
The chance of Nepal advancing into the semifinal of the tournament is evenly poised as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets on Thursday. Chasing a 158-run target, Pakistan took the match home in the 15th over losing only three wickets.
With these results, Nepal and Sri Lanka both have a win each on the points table while Pakistan has two victories.
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