Malla, Airee guide Nepal to seven-wicket victory over Kenya

KATHMANDU, March 13: Half-centuries from both skipper Gyanendra Malla and Diperndra Singh Airee guided Nepal to a crushing seven-wicket victory over Kenya in their ICC World Cricket League Championship match at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur today.

Chasing a target of 156 runs, Nepal met the target with 118 balls to spare losing three wickets in 30.2 overs.

Elijah Otieno’s early two wickets of Sunil Dhamala and Sagar Pun inside the fourth over reduced Nepal to 14 for two. It looked like Kenya would keep their unbeaten three match run over host Nepal but Malla and Airee’s magical performance helped Nepal claim the game.

Malla (64 of 93 balls/not out) and Airee (62 of 66 balls) shared a 111-run partnership before Airee was caught out by Dhiren Gondoria in 27.2 overs.

Sharad Bheswakar (not out) hit 24 of 11 balls to seal victory for Nepal.

Earlier, sent to bat first after losing toss, Kenya set the target of 156 runs for Nepal hitting 155 runs in 46.1 overs.

Nepal lost to Kenya by five wickets in the rain-spoiled first match on March 11.

This win in the second match has kept alive Nepal’s hope of qualifying to the World Cup Cricket. Nepal will now play against Hong Kong and U.A.E.

Nepal is in the sixth place with eight points in nine games played while Kenya is in the fifth place with 10 points.