Nepal post thrilling 2-run victory in last over

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, July 6: Nepal snatched a thrilling two run victory against Germany in its final match in the ongoing ICC Trophy in Toronto, Canada.

Germany, chasing Nepal’s 175, collapsed to 173 with just three balls to go in the 48 overs match. The victory helped Nepal gain second position in its group below Namibia, the group winner.

Electing to bat first, Nepal’s Deependra Chaudhary hit 52 in 68 balls (two fours and one six) and JP Sarraf gave him good assistance with 26 runs.

Sanddep Shrestha and Paresh Lohani scored 20 and 16 respectively against the excellent bowling of Germany’s AH Bhatti who calimed five wickets (10-0-31-5).

In reply, Germany began solidly as openers T Rathore and S Khan clubbed Nepalese bowlers to make 61 for the first wicket stand. But after the departure of Rathore, Khan single handedly tried to rescue the team out of danger.

Khan’s patient 68 almost jeopardized Nepal’s victory chance, but thanks to Paras Luniy’s four wicket haul and Sarraf’s three wicket feat that saved the day for Nepal as Germany collapsed three run short of winning in 47.3 overs.

AP adds from Toronto: Scotland suffered its first loss while Ireland fell to Denmark in the International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy tournament.

The Scots could not contend with a disciplined and efficient Dutch performance Thursday, bowing out to the Netherlands by 38 runs at Toronto Cricket Club ground while Ireland got stumped by Denmark at King City.

"I am very upset at the way we played today," Scotland coach Mike Hendrick said. "We batted and fielded well, but our batsmen did not give us a chance to win. Hopefully, we have got our one bad game out of our system and we will rebound for next week’s Super League series."

The Scots, which completed the first round with a 4-1 record, could not come to grips with the tight Dutch bowling attack which restricted the tournament’s top seed to 168 in 46.2 overs. Lower order batsman John Blain was the topscorer with 30.

The bowlers dominated today’s contest, featuring the group’s top two teams.

The Netherlands, which plays its final first round game against Singapore at King City tomorrow, struggled to reach 206-8 in 50 overs after openers Robert Van Oosterom and Jan Kloppenburg started confidently, putting on 63 in 16 overs.

All-rounders Klass Jan Van Noortwijk and Tim de Leede provided the Dutch with its best partnership - 64 in 11 overs for the fourth wicket. Van Noortwijk contributed 41 off 79 balls with four boundaries while de Leede hit 37 off 42 balls with two fours.

Ireland slumped to its second loss of the tournament, bowing out to Denmark by 12 runs. The Irish are 2-2 in the competition after being defeated by the United States in its opening match.

Pursuing a total of 232 for victory in 46 overs, the Irish fell short of the victory target after the Joyce brothers, Dominick and Edmund, added 84 runs in 18 overs for the third wicket. Dominick scored 50 in 134 minutes with four boundaries while Ed made 40 off 61 balls.

Derek Heasley chipped in with 40 toward the end.

In other games Thursday, Canada thumped Fiji by 179 runs, the United States beat Bermuda by 57 runs.

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