KATHMANDU, July 27: Nepal completed a commanding win by 134 runs against the East London Sharks in their fourth and final practice match of the United Kingdom tour in Loughton Cricket Club Ground, London on Thursday. 

Sandeep Lamichhane registered a three-wicket-haul, all them coming in his first over, aided by Lalit Rajbanshi’s two wickets to complete the thumping win in the final t20 practice match before the tri-series in Lord’s on Sunday.

Sharks was limited 117 runs in its 20 overs for the loss of nine wickets. Dipendra Singh Airee, Sharad Vesawkar and Sompal Kami picked up a wicket each. Sharks batsman Taqi Abbas was top scorer for the home side with 32 runs from 24 deliveries. Hafiz Yawar came close with 26 runs from 23 deliveries before being dismissed by Rajbanshi.

Earlier, Sharks won the toss and invited Nepal to bat first. Both the veteran left-arm spinners Shakti Gauchan and Basant Regmi and wicket-keeper batsman Subash Khakurel were rested for the final practice game. Nepal lost the wicket of last match centurion Anil Kumar Sah in the fifth over of the innings. He scored eight runs in 11 deliveries following his century and half-century against St Cross Cricket Club on Monday.

Gyanendra Malla and Paras Khadka combined to share a partnership of 104 runs for the second wicket. Malla struck form before the tri-series on Sunday scoring 75 runs from 47 deliveries including five fours and six maximums. Similarly, Khadka was on song as well smashing blistering 67 runs from 30 deliveries including seven fours and five sixes. 

However, the real impetus came down the order with young batsman Dipendra Singh Airee’s not out 67 runs from 26 deliveries. It included four boundaries and six maximums.

Nepal national cricket team posted 251 for the loss of four wickets which is highest ever score in T20-cricket. 

Sharks’ Arshad Haroon bowled three overs conceding 15 runs and picking up a wicket of Sah. 20 runs were conceded as extras including 15 wides.

Sah maiden century and Gauchan four-wicket-haul in a huge win in 3rd practice match

The veteran, soon-to-be-retiring left-arm spinner, Shakti Gauchan, picked up four wickets to complete the Nepal national cricket team’s thumping 223 runs win over East London XI in its third practice match of the United Kingdom tour at the Loughton Cricket Club Ground on Wednesday. Earlier, the young right-handed batsman Anil Kumar Sah pummeled 131 runs to setup a huge target of 338 runs in 50 overs.

East London’s Darren Ironside (38), Akash Raji (27) and Bhaj Purewal (22) were the only double-digit scorers in the chase bundling out for 115 runs in the 39th over. Nepal’s Lalit Singh Rajbanshi and right-arm pace bowler Karan KC shared two wickets each whereas off-spinner Dipendra Singh Airee and pace spearhead Sompal Kami picked up a wicket each to complete the 10 wickets.

Gauchan, who announced his retirement in an official farewell program held in Nepal before leaving for the UK tour, conceded 23 runs during his 9.5 overs spell and registered an impressive five maidens. The 35-year-old will bid farewell to the international cricket after the Netherlands ODI series, Nepal’s first in its history on August 1 and 3. He will continue to participate in the domestic cricket events, though.

Earlier, East London XI won the toss and invited Nepal to bat first. Opening batsman Subash Khakurel who made his comeback after the three years of hiatus, fell for eight runs facing ten deliveries. Whilst, the vice-captain who was demoted to number three, Gyanendra Malla made nine runs facing 21 deliveries. Skipper Paras Khadka’s stay at the crease was not long either, scoring four runs from as many deliveries. 

Nepal lost three wickets for 58 runs at the end of 11th over. All three wickets were taken by East London XI’s opening bowler Arshlan Khan.

However, the 19-year-old Anil Kumar Sah and experienced middle order batsman Sharad Vesawkar shared a commanding partnership of 212 runs to take the score to 270 at the end of 40 overs. Sah scored his first century for the national cricket team in 50-over cricket. He completed the century in 91 deliveries, further adding 31 runs to his score before getting out. He smashed 19 fours and a six in his innings. He was aided by Vesawkar’s 98 runs which included six fours and six sixes during his 86-ball stay at the crease. 

Likewise, Kami contributed 29 runs from 20 deliveries down the order to push Nepal’s total to 338 runs in 50 overs. East London’s Nabeel Aziz picked two wickets whereas Sagar Joshi dismissed Kami.

Nepal is set to face Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Netherlands in the tri-series on July 29.

 
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