Rohit, Dev star as Nepal prevail in high-scoring encounter

Rohit Kumar Paudel’s all-round show helped Nepal prevail in the second One Day International against Canada at the TU International Cricket Ground on Saturday to seal the Nepal Canada Bilateral Series with a game remaining.

Canada posted a mammoth 285 for 9 in 50 overs before Nepal chased it down comprehensively, losing 6 wickets with 29 balls remaining.

The top order provided a solid platform for the visitors, as they were 179 for 2 in 31st over before Nepal’s skipper Rohit picked up two consecutive wickets in 32nd over to restrict the opponents under reachable total. Rohit returned the figures of 2-32 in 8 overs.

Kushal Malla also had two wickets in his 10 overs, giving away 51 runs. Sompal Kami (1-49), Surya Tamang (1-46), Aakash Chand (1-31), and Pawan Sarraf (1-28) chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Opening batsmen, Aaron Johnson and Navneet Dhaliwal were the top scorers for the losing side. Aaron added 65 off 62 balls including 10 fours and 2 sixes. Navneet scored 60-ball 46 leasing with 8 fours. They both fell six runs short of the century stand.

Rohit scored match-winning 87 off 101 balls hitting 8 fours and 4 sixes. Dev Khanal, who was involved with record-making 150-run stand for the third wicket with Rohit, slammed 7 fours and 2 sixes for his 76 off 81 deliveries.

Anil Sah, who was playing his fifth One Day International for the national side, scored the fastest half-century (19 balls) in the format for Nepal with 50 off 20 balls involving 7 fours and three sixes.

Ishwarjot Sohi (2-48) and Harsh Thaker (2-79) picked up two wickets each for the visiting team.