Skipper Khadka dedicates win to fans

CHITTAGONG, BANGLADESH, MAR 21 - Having guided Team Nepal to a memorable nine-run victory over Afghanistan, skipper Paras Khadka was as delighted as the situation was tense during the match.   

“This win is for our fans,” Khadka said, after presentation at the end of ICC World Twenty20 preliminary round match on Thursday.

“As usual we celebrated with our victory song ‘rato ra chandra surya’ after the win,” he continued. “We put in hard work as we were playing for pride. And I hope today’s performace helped bring smile on the face of our compatriots.”  

In fact, it was Nepal’s first win victory against Afghanistan in seven attempts.  “They are a very strong team and we needed excellent team work to beat them,” the Nepal skipper said, hoping that Nepal’s improved display as a unit would get the monkey off their back like they have done against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “The UAE now are no more a formidable opponent for us. We hope to keep that record against Afghanistan as well from now on.”

Khadka, who scored 41 runs in each of the first two outings, was out cheaply on Thursday. But he made amends with two brilliant catches. “I could not contribute with the bat. So we needed to be sharp on the field and hold on to catches that come our way,” he said, insisting that he had a firm belief that Nepal could win the match.

“But anything can happen in the shortest format of the game. So it was not until the last ball of the match that we were certain of our victory,” he said, expressing delight at having ended their World Cup campaign with two wins in three matches.

Source : ekantipur.com

Nepal sign off with victory

KATHMANDU, MAR 21 - The adage ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ befitted Team Nepal on Thursday as they registered a nine-run victory over a formidable foe Afghanistan in a thrilling ICC World Twenty20 match in Chittagong, Bangladesh .

After six unsuccessful bids in the past, the sheer will and determination of the boys in red and blue have finally overcome theAfghanistan jinx. And a victory makes all the more sweet as it came at the biggest cricketing stage.

Nepal finished level on four points with Bangladesh , but just missed out on a spot in the next stage to the hosts who progressed despite a shocking two-wicket loss to Hong Kong. Bangladesh , one of the two Test-playing sides in the preliminary round, advanced on better run rate (+1.466 net run rate) against Nepal ’s (+0.933).

Subash Khakurel (56) hit a maiden half-century to propel Nepal to 141-5 before Jitendra Mukhia claimed a  career best 3-18, including two scalps in two balls in the fifth over, to restrict Afghanistan to 132-8 in 20 overs. Nepal , though, had to overcame a nervous last over when Asghar Stanikzai (49 off 36 balls) hit 14 runs off the first four balls including three fours off Sompal Kami.

Nepal could not have planned for a better stage to end their poor run against Afghanistan , who entered the tournament as the best Associate team on the back of their upset win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.

Having ended Nepal ’s losing streak at the cricket’s biggest stage, skipper Paras Khadka hopes to draw the attention of the cricketing world towards Nepal . The 26-year-old also asked for better infrastructure to enhance their skills. “The team is improving. But we need to improve on our infrastructure too as we compete at higher level,” demanded the captain.

Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with words of praise for Team Nepal . “Lol, sign up Jitendra Mukhiya for the CPL somebody (sic). Four overs of Yorkers worth the price of gold. 21 years old, imagine if he got exposure,” tweeted Ian Bishop, the former West Indies fast bowler turned commentator.

Anand Vasu, managing editor of Wisdon India, added: “ Nepal hold on for a major win ... and plenty to be proud of even if they could not make it to the next round.”

Rastriya Prajatantra Party- Nepal Chairman Kamal Thapa also joined the bandwagon. “What a excitement. Finally we won,” he tweeted. “Proud to see Nepal flag flying high at Chittagong, Bangladesh . Hats off to the hard work of our boys.”

And Nepal i Congress youth leader Gagan Thapa too could not hide his excitement, either. “How we played is more important than whether we won or lost. The message from today’s game is that a little support can push Nepal i cricket forward.”

Source : ekantipur.com

Nepal lose, but win hearts

CHITTAGONG, MAR 19 - Nepal lost in second match of the ICC World Twenty20, going down by eight wicket to hosts Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chaudhury Stadium on Tuesday. But the visitors along the way earned millions of hearts with their spirited efforts.

Nepal posted a modest 126-5 in their 20 overs after they were put into bat. Bangladesh eased home with more than four overs to spare to rack up two wins in as many outings. They are now on course to claim the lone qualifying spot when they meet winless Hong Kong on Thursday. With a win each, Nepal and Afghanistan meet the same day.

Nepal, who beat Hong Kong by 80 runs on Sunday, never looked like challenging once they were restricted to 126-5. However, considering the gulf between the two teams—one an ICC full member and other just an associate member—the performance was praisworthy regardless of the end result.

Meanwhile, popularity of Nepal skipper Paras Khadka continued to soar on these shores, following his excellent performance in two matches.

With the Nepali team catching fancy of the local fans, even senior cricket journalists are wondering why Khadka was not playing in cricket leagues like Indian Premier League.

Anand Vasu, managing editor of Wisden India, said he had been impressed by Khadka’s attitude both on and off the field.

“Why does he not have an IPL contract? Scout not watching?” Vasu tweeted. “Bangladesh romp home, but Nepal winning many hearts here. Much the same way Bangladesh did 15 years or so ago.”

And a popular TV commentator Harsha Bhogle joined the party, retweeting: “May not be a bad idea to look at players from Nepal and Afghanistan as local players. Wonder what franchises think about it?”

Some of the local newspapers have run stories on Khadka being offered a contract to play in the Dhaka Premier League next season.

Source : ekantipur.com

Shakti stars in Nepal’s debut win

CHITTAGONG, MAR 17 - Nepal made a dream debut at the ICC World Twenty20 with an emphatic 80-run win over Hong Kong in a preliminary round match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Sunday.

Nepal were indebted to the influential skipper Paras Khadka and his deputy Gyanendra Malla to post a fighting 149-8 total after Hong Kong invited them to bat first. The good work of the experienced batting duo was excellently complimented by left-arm spinners Shakti Gauchan and Basanta Regmi to bowl out the opposition for just 69 runs in 17 overs.

Nepal were on the spot of bother after losing both the openers at score of 36. But that brought together Khadka and Malla in the middle. Spurred on by a group of Nepal i fans, chanting and waving their ‘4’ and ‘6’ placards with considerable vigour the two put on a solid 80-run stand—a new third-wicket record for the team—in just over 11 overs.

“Paras Khadka, chhaka padka [Paras Khadka, hit a six],” implored the Nepal support and this was the only facet of their evening in which they were to be disappointed. The skipper hit four fours off 37 balls for his 41, while Malla who struck four fours and a six off 41 deliveries fell two short of a half century. Khadka then returned to take a wicket in the very first ball of the Hong Kong innings before Som Pal Kami made it 9-2 in the second over. But it was Gauchan and Regmi who turned the match for Nepal as Hong Kong lost four wickets at the score of 58 to be 58-7 by the 12th over. Gauchan, who was named man-of-the-match, returned with figures of 3-9 and Regmi took 3-14.

Khadka said the win augurs well for the future. “There is good spirit in the team and the boys are really hungry to do well,” he added. “We want to play good cricket and continue that way in other matches too. We have to start all over again in our next game against Bangladesh and take the positives from this game.”

Nepal play their next match against Bangladesh on Tuesday before taking on Afghanistan two days later. One team from this group will join India, Pakistan, Australia and the West Indies in Group 2 of the Super 10 stage.   

Source : www.ekantipur.com