The victory in the match, however, did not ensure Nepal´s qualification to the finals and Division 4. The 99-run victory of Singapore over the United States of America (USA) means the tournament is still wide open going on the final day on Friday. [break]
Sharad, who was overlooked and only brought in after Paresh Lohani pulled out, proved his metier scoring his first century for the senior team and helping reach 267/7 in 50 overs.
While celebrating his century, Sharad used his bat to point at his name on his back requesting those in selection command to remember his name.
This is the third instance that a Nepali batsman has scored a century. Earlier, Raju Basnet had scored unbeaten 106 against Bhutan at the TU Ground in 2003 and Shakti Gauchan had scored unbeaten 105 against Italy in Malaysia in 2005.
Sharad´s 130-run partnership with captain Paras Khadka for the fourth wicket is also the highest ever partnership for Nepal in one-dayers overtaking the unbeaten 126 between himself and Gyanendra Malla against Qatar in the 2008 ACC Trophy.
Paras played yet another blazing innings scoring 75 off 91 balls -- his third half-century in four matches of the event that consolidated his top position as the leading run scorer with 233 runs.
Shadowed by the wonderful batting was left-arm spinner Basanta Regmi´s second consecutive haul of four wickets in a drab innings by Fijians. Fiji were restricted to 74 in 26.4 overs.
Basanta took 4/11 -- identical figure as against Bahrain a day earlier -- while Shakti Gauchan got 2/7. Pacers Mehboob Alam and Binod Das claimed a wicket each in the innings that saw only five batsmen scoring double-digits.
For Fiji, T Sorovaktini (13), M Gauna (13 not out), captain J Rika (11), S Ravoka (10) and I Cakacaka (10) got some runs. J Rika entertained with a six and a four off Binod in consecutive balls before skying at mid-on for a catch.
Basanta became the leading wicket taker in the event with 11 wickets ahead of teammate SanjamRegmi who has nine.
Earlier, Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first. The openers failed to get any momentum as in earlier three matches and Shakti too got out without scoring as Nepal went down to 35/3. It was then that Sharad and Paras took over and turned the table.
Paras was out caught at mid-wicket trying to hit over it on 75 but Sharad continued with the form that justified his talents. Basanta also contributed with 27 off 19.
"It is one of the best innings I have seen in a long time," coach Roy Dias said on Sharad´s century. "Today, he showed his class and to do it at TU is a great thing." Dias also praised Sharad for playing according to the need of the situation. "He supported Paras well early," he said.
Paras added that Sharad´s innings had come under pressure. "He was under pressure to perform," he said. "He proved his talents and I hope he will continue."
The man of the match was humble. "The team won, that´s important," Sharad said. "I did not play for a century. However, I am very happy because this is definitely like my comeback."
Fiji captain J Rika commented that he played poorly and did not deserve to win. "We gave away wickets; we did not deserve to win," he said.
Although Nepal went atop the points table, Friday´s match against the USA will be important because unless Nepal beat the USA, the two teams and Singapore can finish on equal points and net run-rate can come into play to determine the top two teams.
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