Nepal vs Namibia: Nepal makes a record chase thanks to Kushal’s century
Nepal vs Namibia: Nepal has completed the highest-ever ODI chase after successfully chasing a target of 286 in the first match of the Tri-Series. Kushal Bhurtel’s maiden ODI century propelled Nepal to their first victory over Namibia in four matches in front of a large crowd at TU Cricket Ground. Nepal chased down the total with 14 balls to spare, losing eight wickets.
Following the dismissal of Aasif Sheikh (0) and Gyanendra Malla (25), Kushal Bhurtel and Rohit Paudel shared 136 runs for the third wicket, Nepal’s highest-ever ODI partnership. The pair broke Dev Khanal and Dipendra Singh Airee’s record of 129 runs against PNG. After getting a life while batting at 27 and 39 runs, Paudel scored 72 runs. Meanwhile, Bhurtel joined Paras Khadka and Dipendra Singh Airee as the third Nepali batter to score a century in both an ODI and a T20I.
Sundeep Jora scored a crucial 24-ball 28 during the crisis. But it was Karan Kc who smacked all over the park at the end, scoring 20 runs off 12 balls and ensuring Nepal’s victory. Kushal Bhurtel hit 115 off 113 balls, with ten fours and four sixes. Sompal Kami hit the boundary, ensuring Nepal’s highest-ever ODI total (287), breaking the previous record of 286 against PNG.
Namibia’s bowler of choice was Ruben Trumpelmann, who took three wickets (10-0-48-3). Tangeni Lungameni, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, and Bernard Scholtz each took one wicket.
Nepal vs Namibia: More about the match
Earlier, Michael van Lingen’s consecutive centuries against Nepal aided Namibia’s total. Namibia posted 285 in the allotted 50 overs after being invited to bat first, thanks to Lingen’s career-best 133 and Zane Green’s electrifying cameo at the end.
As the Eagles were 45/2 in the 11th over, Sompal Kami dismissed Louwrens in the third over before Sandeep Lamichhane knocked out Karl Birkenstock in his second ball after the comeback. Gerhard Erasmus and Michael van Lingen then worked together to help the visitors’ inning. The pair put on 124 runs for the third wicket before Kushal Malla struck, dismissing Erasmus for 56 runs.
Van Lingen, on the other hand, recorded his highest ODI score, surpassing his previous best of 121 against Nepal. After being dropped at 55 by Rohit Paudel, the southpaw got another life when Sompal Kami misjudged his catch at long-on, leading to a six while batting at 75. Lingen’s 137-ball inning featured nine fours and five sixes.
Zane Green finished with a 19-ball 34 that included four boundaries and one maximum. Ruben Trumpelmann also scored 11 runs on four balls.
Karan Kc, also known as Valentine’s Boy, took five wickets for Nepal. This is his third ODI fifer for Nepal. In his comeback match, Sandeep Lamichhane also took three wickets (10-0-66-3). Kushal Malla and Sompal Kami also took one.