By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (Hamro Khelkud) – The visiting West Indies ‘A’ side have levelled the five-match T20 series against Nepal after registering a win in the second outing. The Caribbean side that failed to defend 204 runs in the first match, defended 160 in the second to win the game by ten runs.
Nepal failed to follow up on a successful chase in the first match after being limited to 150 runs, losing nine wickets in 20 overs. Skipper Rohit Paudel’s unbeaten 48-ball 71 with six fours and two sixes remained came close to being enough for a second successive run but couldn’t be.
Gulshan Jha’s short flurry of three fours and two sixes in 11 deliveries for 26 runs brought Nepal closer to the target. Opener Lokesh Bam was dismissed for a 16-ball 17. His innings had a short treatment period when he went off injured and later returned to bat. Aarif Sheikh struggled for 16 deliveries for 12 runs. The rest of the batters faltered.
Obed McCoy and Gudakesh Motie picked up two wickets each in the win while Oshane Thomas and Roston Chase chipped in with one wicket each.
Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss at the TU Cricket Ground, the travelling contingent posted 160 runs, losing seven wickets in the process. Andre Fletcher’s 43 off 36 was the highest any West Indian batter scored on the day.
Gudakesh Motie’s destructive 33 off eight deliveries with two fours and four sixes took the game away from Nepal. Skipper Roston Chase got off to a decent start before being dismissed for 23 off 22. Johnson Charles and Matthew Forde added 11 runs each to the total.
Returning Sagar Dhakal alongside Kushal Bhurtel took two wickets each for the home side. Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee took one wicket each.
The third T20 of the series will be played on Wednesday.
