Nepal have lost their second match in the ongoing CWC league-2 tri-series in Scotland. Courtesy of the 63-run loss, they have now slipped to 6th in the points table. Nepal were looking for another decent start from openers after two promising partnerships (31 and 46 runs partnerships in the previous two matches). However, they lost their first wicket in the form of Kushal Bhurtel when he flicked leg stump half volley straight to a short fine leg fielder.
The second wicket was rather a controversial one. Another leg stump half volley from Frylinck and another flick shot, that was initially given six (probably based on crowd reaction), only to reverse the decision to OUT. It clearly wasn’t conclusive to be given out. The umpires generally give the benefit of the doubt to the batter but not in that case.
Amidst all chaos, Asif Sheikh was batting at his fluent best even when Rohit Paudel struggled to put the bat on the ball. However, he was deprived of a strike, and a combination of lapse of concentration and a half-hearted shot cost his wicket on 34. Aasif hit 6 fours during his short stay. Nepal were 46-3 after his departure. Dipendra Singh Airee, searching for runs, joined struggling Rohit. They put 23 runs before Rohit was given out caught behind what looked like another poor decision from Umpire.
Nepal kept on losing wickets. Aarif Sheikh fell to Frylinck on 4 as Nepal lost their 5th wicket at 82. Another promising partnership (36-run) took Nepal 118-6 before Aadil Alam (20) was holed out at long on trying to go for a six. Alam hit one four and one six during his knock. Nepal’s hope massively relied on Dipendra Singh Airee to take home. It ended after Airee ran out on 38 which was his highest score in the ongoing CWC League-2. Nepal’s talisman fell a few inches short of the crease during his quick second run despite full-length dive. Airee hit 3 fours during his stay.
The visitors lost the last three wickets rather quickly to hand Namibia 63 runs Victory, the second loss against the same opposition in this tri-series. They now have won both ODIs against Nepal after getting beaten in all four List-A matches previously. Left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz took his maiden fifer, whereas another left-arm (seamer) bowler, Jan Frylinck scalped 3/26 including two early Wickets in the innings. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus had one wicket to his name.
