Sports
Malla slams timely ton
Skipper Gyanendra Malla hit a scintillating century and picked up three wickets as Nepal ‘B’ edged Paras Khadka-led Nepal ‘A’ by seven runs to win the second round of the Super League cricket tournamentSkipper Gyanendra Malla hit a scintillating century and picked up three wickets as Nepal ‘B’ edged Paras Khadka-led Nepal ‘A’ by seven runs to win the second round of the Super League cricket tournament here at the TU Stadium on Sunday.
Malla hit 103 off 91 balls before retiring out leading the side to 251 all out in 48.4 overs. Nepal A were right on the chase with Khadka playing a crucial knock but once Malla had him dismissed, they were bundled out for just 244 in 48.4 overs. Nepal ‘A’ lost their last five wickets for just 10 runs.
Nepal ‘B’ won the second round of the Super League with the Sharad Vesawkar-led Nepal ‘C’ still left to play Khadka’s side. The tournament serves as cricketers’ selection for Nepal’s upcoming World Cricket League Championship matches against Papua New Guinea to be held in November 16 and 18 in the UAE.
After opener Subash Khakurel pulled his hamstring, Nepal ‘B’ were left reeling at 18-3. But Malla shared a magnificent 140-run partnership with Prithu Baskota for the fifth wicket to flay the Nepal ‘A’ attack. Baskota completed his first half century making 63 off 85 with nine boundaries and a six.
Malla added another 42 with Antim Thapa who made 36 off 44 with two boundaries before retiring out. Malla’s innings included 13 fours and four sixes. Irshad Ahmed picked up three wickets for Nepal ‘A’, while Karan KC, Mehboob Alam and Sushan Bhari had one scalp apiece.
Khadka was at the centre of his team’s age who shared three modest partnerships but were still not enough. Khadka shared 49 with Naresh Budhayer for third wicket and 48 for the fourth with Hashim Ansari (16) before taking the team close to victory with a fine 69-run partnership with Mehboob Alam.
Well placed at 234-5 in 45 overs, Malla sparked a terrible collapse with the dismissal of his opposite number. Khadka made 85 off 86 with nine fours and a six, while Budhayer chipped in 50 off 65 with eight boundaries and a maximum. Alam had two sixes and as many fours in his 36-ball 30. Apart from Malla, Shakti Gauchan also picked up three wickets for Nepal ‘B’.