Hosts Nepal continued their winning streak, their third match win in a row, on the back of three half centuries by their key players which helped them defeat Namibia by three wickets in the Triangular Series of the ICC World Cup League 2 at the TU ground in Kirtipur.

Half centuries by opener Aasif Sheikh (81 runs off 98), former captain Gyanendra Malla (65 runs off 74) and Kushal Malla (62 runs off 49) were instrumental in Nepal’s victory.

For a third consecutive time, Nepal won the toss and invited the visiting Namibia team to bat first. Namibia posted 274-6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Chasing the target, opener Aasif Sheikh and former captain Gyanendra Malla shared a record One-Day International (ODI) partnership of 139 runs for the home team as they made 278-7.

Sompal Kami hit the winning boundary and took his team home in 47.3 overs. Sheikh and Malla eclipsed Nepal’s previous best ODI partnership record of 133 runs against the same oppo- nent. Kushal Bhurtel and captain Rohit Paudel had achieved the feat for the third wicket in the series opener on Tuesday.

Kushal Malla also shared a 92-run stand for the fourth wicket with captain Rohit Paudel (39 runs off 43), surpassing the previous best fourth wicket partnership of 77 runs set by Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel against Papua New Guinea during League 2 in March last year in Dubai.

It was also the first occasion that Nepal pulled off their third victory in a row in the League 2 series and sec ond win over Namibia among the five matches played, leaving aside a rained off match.

“Different players have been contributing in different games and the team environment is good, so we are able to chase a big target,” said Sheikh, adding that the presence of a big number of home supporters gives them confidence. “It obviously feels good to perform in front of home supporters.”

The victories in the home series came as a big boost to Nepal, sitting sixth in the seven team League 2 standings and struggling to save their ODI status. Only the top five teams at the end of League 2 cycle are supposed to retain ODI status, although ICC have not clearly mentioned the pathway of regaining the ODI status.

Nepal have 24 points from 27 games and they must win at least six matches from the remaining nine games to secure a fifth place finish. Namibia, yet to win in Nepal after playing the third match of the series in Kirtipur, remained stable in the third position with 37 points from 32 games.

The top three teams will also get a direct entry into the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers and the bottom four teams need to play in the Playoff Qualifier for a spot in the Qualifiers.

After losing opener Kushal Bhurtel on one run in the third over, Sheikh and Malla took charge. Malla, poor form of late, cracked five hits to the boundary and three sixes before being caught in the 27th over off a delivery by left arm spinner Bernard Scholtz with the team score reading 148-2.

The player-of-the-match Sheik smashed eight hits to boundary and two sixes before medium pacer Tengeni Lungameni had him caught by Pikki Ya France in the 32nd over.

Malla said that the wicket condition and maturity of the players along with positive vibes in the dressing room was key to their continuing wins.

“The wins in the past have also raised the confidence level of the team. The wicket condition is also good for batting. The positive approach of the coach (Montey Desai) and detailing small things have contributed to positive chances in the dressing room” said Malla.

Kushal Malla’s quickfire knock included six boundaries and four sixes. He was caught by captain Gerhard Erasmus off a Ruben Trumpelmann’s delivery. Captain Paudel hit five fours before getting dismissed.

Trumpelmann was the most successful player with the ball for Namibia, returning figures of 10-2-71-3. Bernard Scholtz picked up two wickets in his 10-over bowling spell, conceding 42 runs that included two maiden overs.

Sent in to bat first, Namibia’s middle order batter Zane Green scored not out 75 off 63 balls comprising 11 boundaries and a six. He gave the much needed stability to the Namibians who were struggling at 138-5 in the 29th over. He also shared a 94-run stand for the sixth wicket with Pinky Ya France, who contributed a 39-ball 49, before being run out.

Top order Namibian batters including opener Lo-handre Louwrens (41 runs off 54) and Karl Birkenstock (20 runs off 43) and captain Erasmus (15 runs off 29) were all dismissed by leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.

Trumpelmann played a quickfire unbeaten knock of 7-ball 24 that included three boundaries and two sixes. He hit three boundaries and a six off Karan KC in the last over and hit a six off Sompal Kami in the penultimate over. Namibia collected 42 runs in the last two overs to amass a challenging total.

Michael van Lingen (22 runs off 35) and Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (15 runs off 30) were the other players to contribute for Namibia.

Nepal’s leg spinner Lamichhane was the pick of bowling, claiming three wickets. He conceded 46 runs in his 10-over bowling. Karan KC took one wicket.