NEPAL SHOCK HONG KONG
Nepal rocked Hong Kong and put themselves in the semi-final of the ACC Women's Tournament with a gutsy 7-wicket victory at Johor Cricket Academy.
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Nepal's manager applauds his captain and team after they bowled out Hong Kong for 31
(Picture: Pabitra Raut) |
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Hong Kong were firm favourites going into the match with everyone that is, except the Nepali team. We've seen it time and time again, when they can, have to and must, Nepal's home-grown cricketers fight with everything they have. Any team at approximately the same level, that doesn't show the same commitment, just doesn't have a chance.
Today, up against a Hong Kong team fragile in temperament, Nepal's team of seasoned athletes played an overwhelmingly 'professional' game. Invited to bowl first, Nepal had one plan: get Hong Kong's captain Neisha Pratt out early. Pratt,a veteran of New Zealand domestic cricket carries the batting for her team. Her fall, in the third over, caught behind, put the rest of the Hong Kong batting under immense pressure. Pressure compounded by the fact that there were just no loose deliveries. Not a single wide was bowled by Nepal all day, and bar one no ball and a leg-bye there were no extras.
Hong Kong went into a shell, suddenly the team's youth and inexperience became apparent. Nepal were on them like fog on a swamp and apart from Keenu Gill who took 41 balls to make 10, no one else made more than 4.
Hong Kong were 31 all out after 23 overs. All Nepal had to do was play as
they've always done. Block, glance, drive and pull, block, glance, drive and
pull. Hong Kong didn't make it easy for them; but the first wicket only fell
at the end of the 11 th over. 13-year old Chan Sau Ha bowled her left-arm spin
beautifully and picked up two wickets but it was too late. By the time Nepal's
opener Manisha Rawal (10 off 73 deliveries) was out in the 24th over, her team
had all but won. Nepal's captain Nary Thapa hit a four to seal the victory.
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Nepal's Nary Thapa (left) and Neera Rajaopadhya brought their side home
(Picture: Pabitra Raut) |
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The result means it is Nepal who finish top of Group A and they will now play China in the semi-final.
ACC WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
Hong Kong v Nepal, IPTI Johor Bahru
NEPAL WON BY SEVEN WICKETS
Hong Kong won the toss and chose to bat
Hong Kong: 31 all out after 23.5 overs (N. Thapa 3-5, N. Rajaopadhya 3-4)
Nepal: 34 for 3 off 23.5 overs (S. H. Chan 2-9)
Scorecard
Filed July 15 2007
