Nepal lost to West Indies, possibility of Super Six remains

KATHMANDU: The four-time world champion West Indies defeated Nepal by a score of 101 runs. Nepal was all out for 238 runs in 49.4 overs while chasing a mammoth target of 340 runs for win in the ICC World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.

Nepal’s Aarif Sheikh hit 63 runs off 93 balls, including four fours and one six. That run wasn’t enough to win.

Gulshan Jha was out for 42 runs. Karan KC scored 28 runs off 27 balls, including four fours and one six. The Nepalese batters were unable to stay at the crease in the face of the West Indies bowling.

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph took out opener Kushal Bhurtel for five runs on the fourth delivery of the second over. After that, Nepal’s wickets kept falling.

The Nepali hitter was dismissed after spending considerable time at the crease and attempting to play long short. Bhim Sarki was caught out by wicketkeeper Shai Hope on the second delivery of the fifth over.

After hitting 30 runs off 43 balls with three fours, captain Rohit Paudel was caught out. Kushal Malla replied in two runs while playing long short.

Dipendra Singh Airee was out for 23 off 20 balls with two fours and one six, while Aasif Sheikh was out for 28 off 36 balls with three fours. West Indies’ Jason Holder claimed three wickets for 34 runs in ten overs.

In 10 overs for 49 runs, Akil Hussain claimed two wickets with one maiden. In 10 overs, Alzaari Joseph captured two wickets for 45 runs. Kimo Paul bowled 10 overs and collected two wickets for 63 runs with one maiden.

Before that, the West Indies, who lost the toss and were allowed to bat first, scored 339 runs in 50 overs, losing 7 wickets. Shai Hope scored 132 runs off 129 balls with 10 fours and three sixes to lead the West Indies to victory.

Similarly, Nicholas Pooran was out for 115 runs off 94 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes. Puran’s second career ODI century, and Hope’s fifteenth.

Puran has two lives to complete his century. Pooran was given life when wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh dropped a catch for 3 and 54 runs. One of the reasons for the defeat was this.

West Indies were 55-3 in 15.3 overs at one point. Pooran and Hope, though, returned to the game for the fourth wicket with a 216-run double-century partnership. Dipendra ruined the two players’ alliance. Dipendra cut and bowled Puran in the 44th over before returning to the pavilion. Dipendra made a fantastic one-handed catch.

Nepal got off to a good start. Kyle Mayers got the first hit, and Johnson Charles dodged out. Brandon King was out for 32 from 42 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Rovman Powell was out for 29 runs off 14 balls, including three fours and one six. Kimo Paul was out for one run, but Jason Holder scored 16 runs on 10 balls, including two fours.

Lalit Narayan Rajwanshi of Nepal grabbed three wickets and scored 52 runs in ten overs. Lalit bowled Nepal’s first and last overs. In 10 overs, Sandeep Lamichhane claimed one wicket for 50 runs with one maiden. Dipendra Singh Airee claimed one wicket after 45 runs in seven overs. Karan KC grabbed one wicket after 81 runs and one maiden in ten overs. Gulshan Jha had one wicket for 64 runs in eight overs.

Nepal lost the first match against Zimbabwe by 8 wickets. America was defeated by 6 wickets. The US has been eliminated from Group A with three straight losses. Nepal will have to beat the Netherlands on Saturday to reach the Super Six. Not only will Nepal lose, the Netherlands will also have to lose against the West Indies in the final match. If Nepal loses to the Netherlands, they will be eliminated from the group stage.