World t20: Nepal rout Hong Kong in debut clash

Nepal lost 4 wickets off the last 4 deliveries of innings - two of them run out - which denied them a bigger total.

CHITTAGONG: Nepal marked their arrival on the international cricket stage with a massive 80-run win over fellow newcomers Hong Kong in a preliminary group match at the World Twenty20 Sunday. Nepal hammered 149-8 after being sent into bat and then bowled Hong Kong out for just 69 in 17 overs in the day-night match at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium. The memorable group A win was set up by skipper Paras Khadka and Gyanendra Malla, who put on 80 for the third wicket after Nepal were reduced to 36-2 in 5.1 overs. Khadka hit a 37-ball 41, while Malla made 48 off 41 balls with four boundaries and a six. Nepal lost four wickets off the last four deliveries of the innings -- two of them run out -- which denied them a bigger total.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2014.