Nepal see off Kenya in T20 cricket series

Nepal hushed the Kenyan crowd on Tuesday at the Nairobi Gymkhana following a 31-run win over the hosts to take home the overall title in 3-2 duel attended by outgoing Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

“Always disappointing on the losing end. However, I am impressed with the positives. We gave them 20 extra runs and that is how they got lucky. 

“I feel that we improved game by game. We are happy with the opportunity and finding more platforms is important for our team,” stated Captain Shem Ngoche for Kenya whose team scored 144 runs for the loss of seven wickets during the chase.

Amina while thanking the teams, praised the level of the match that was displayed. 

“ Both teams have done well so massive congratulations to both sides. The home team deserve kudos and the spectators did well to support the Kenyan team.

“ It is delightful to see cricket back and this should be encouraged.”

Kenya had an incredible chase in the latter stages of the match especially in the final wicket stand between siblings Nehemiah and Shem Ngoche.

Four boundaries

Nehemiah (37 runs off 22 balls) was the top run-getter for Team Kenya with his contribution including four boundaries and one six whilst Captain Shem Ngoche had 33 runs in the game.

Nepal who won toss selecting to bat for the first time in the series had a good inning with the highest total score so far in the tournament. 

They had 175 runs for the loss of seven wickets in a match that saw Gyanendra Malla win the Man of the Match award while Captain Sandip Lamihchane won the Man of the Series award.

Opening batsman Gyanendra Malla (59 runs off 44 balls) was most impressive for the visiting side with his contribution including five boundaries and two sixes. 

Another star player for Nepal in the opening innings was Rohit Praudel (46 runs off 22 balls) with a match-high seven boundaries.

Vraj Patel andNgoche had two wickets apiece alongside Nehemiah Odhiambo whose pace behind the ball in the attack claimed the wickets of Rohit Praudel and Bibek Yadav.

Nepal bowlers were content playing variety in the opening overs as they dutifully restricted the Kenyan attack at the crease.

Big-hitting Irfan Karim ( 28 runs in 29 balls) and Rakep Patel (1 run off 02 balls) were dismissed early in the innings as Kenya’s chase was compromised hugely. 

Nepal skipper Sandip Lamichhane was responsible for two quick wickets including Kenyan all-rounder Sachin Bhudia’s duck off the first ball.