24 JANUARY 2015 NAIROBI –  Probably the youngest team to be qualified to play world cup of cricket have been shattered for time being as Nepal lost its tough match between Kenya has lost by 5 wicket on Friday.

The match between Nepal and Kenya was as normal and challenged with 194 runs but the previous matches were weak and run rates were very low as we lost the first match which became the most disappointing matter of the tournament.

For now, it is deprived of promotion to Division-I after losing to Kenya by five wickets in the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 at the Wanderers Affies Park in Windhoek, Namibia on Friday.

Needing an outright victory to earn promotion to Division 1, which provides teams with competitive cricket under the 50-over ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) and four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup (ICup), Nepal were 194 all out in 49.5 overs. Gyanendra Malla spared Nepal’s blues scoring unbeaten 91 that took the team close to 200-run mark. Nepal went into their last league game having restricted all previous four opponents below 160-run mark. But on Friday, Kenya produced a fearless batting and raced to 195-5 with 90 balls to spare.

The defeat saw Nepal pushed to third in overall standings, behind the Netherlands who edged ahead on net run-rate despite being tied on six points.

Table toppers Namibia and the Netherlands qualified for Division 1. The defeat will cost Nepal dear as they were hoping to play in the WCLC and ICup.

International Cricket Council (ICC) spends hefty funds for the next three years for the Division 1 teams meaning Nepal missed out on the more competitive cricket as well as development opportunities. Ultimately Nepal paid the price for losing their opening match against Uganda.

Nepal have own very few International matches as bating first in the games, its bating power is not so strong as other teams though bowling strategy also did not work at this time. As Nepal started playing cricket very recently, it is not in hurry to criticize the team as its future looks so bright and improving in international ranking.

Source: Agencies.