Sompal Kami’s first real taste of international franchise cricket is set to end in personal disappointment despite his team Winnipeg Hawks making it to the final of the Global Twenty20 Canada on Saturday.

Hawks set up the GT20 Canada final against Vancouver Knights with a thrilling last ball win over Brampton Wolves in the second Qualifier on Saturday night. But the Nepali pace spearhead was ignored yet again having made a much-awaited debut against Edmonton Royals during the group stage match on August 3. Kami failed to cash in on the opportunity as he bowled two overs and was hit for 33 runs without any success as his team lost by eight wickets.

Kami has since not been considered for any other matches leading up to the final. Kami and his national teammate Sandeep Lamichhane had reached Canada from Singapore on July 29 after Nepal’s failed bid to secure a place in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup Global Qualifiers the day before. In contrast, Lamichanne was a regular starter for Toronto Nationals having joined the team with a match against Brampton Wolves on August 4. Lamichhane’s run ended with the Nationals’ defeat to Hawks in Eliminator match on August 8. He took five wickets in four matches.

Kami can, however, take heart from the fact that he got the opportunity to share the dressing room with international stars like JP Duminy of South Africa, Mohammed Irfan of Pakistan, Dwane Smith of the West Indies and Chris Lynn of Australia among others. He also got a chance to learn from other stars that featured in the tournament including swashbuckling former Pakistani allrounder Shahid Afridi, former New Zealand skipper Brandon McCullum, retired Indian allrounder Yuvraj Singh, West Indies stars Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard among others.

In the second Qualifier match on Saturday, Wolves posted a commanding 200-7 in 20 overs with contributions from Sammy (33), Babar Hayat (32), Afridi (32) and Wahab Riaz (23). Duminy and Shaiman Anwar scored scintillating half centuries while Sunny Sohal (41) and Lynn (35) were also among the runs as Hawks completed the chase for the loss of three wickets in the last ball.

Anwar scored 52, his 23-ball knock included six fours and four sixes, while Duminy hit unbeaten 34-ball 50 with three sixes and as many fours. Kami briefly entered the field as a substitute player and made a contribution by holding a catch to dismiss Afridi off Paul Van Meekeren in 18.5 overs.