London, July 15, 2016:Â Nepal began their tour of London with a crushing 129-run victory over Free Forester Club here at the Indian Gymkhana Cricket Club on Wednesday.
Gyanendra Malla and Sharad Vesawkar made half centuries as Nepal posted 235-9 in the 40-over-a-side game. Free Forester were bundled out for a paltry 106 in 29.1 overs. Nepal are currently in London to play a 50-over friendly match against Marylebone Cricket Club at the Lord’s on July 19.
Nepal have taken the tour of London as a part of preparation for World Cricket League Championship matches against the Netherlands slated for August 13 and 15.
In the match on Wednesday, Nepal lost opener Anil Mandal (four) early but Malla build the innings with two big partnerships. He shared 110 runs for the second wicket with Sharad Vesawkar who made 50 off 75 balls. Vesawkar’s innings included six fours and a six. Malla then added another 48 runs with skipper Paras Khadka before losing his wicket for 74 runs. Malla’s 66-ball fluent knock included nine boundaries. Khadka scored a gritty 40 off 29 with five hit to the fence and one six. Sagar Pun (21) was Nepal’s next best scorer.
Jake Kings took 3-32 from seven overs for Free Forester, while Niiamaa Ollenu and Dane Currency picked up two wickets apiece.
Free Forester were still in the game at 64-2 inside 11 overs but they went on to lose last eight wickets for just 42 runs after Nepali bowlers
ran riot. Seamer Bikram Sob took 4-21 from eight overs, while Sandeep Lamichhane took 3-18 from 5.1. Karan KC also had two scalps. Kashif Ali top scored for Free Forester with 31 off 61 hitting four boundaries.
By Binod Pandey
