Nepal has begun their preparations for their upcoming USA tour by playing a set of practice matches against Canada’s High Performance (HP) team. These matches are an important part of Nepal’s preparation, giving the team a chance to test their skills in competitive conditions. The first two matches, played on the 4th and 5th of October at King City, Ontario, have provided some thrilling moments, with both sides showing resilience and competitive spirit.
Match 1 – October 4: HP Canada Wins by 3 Wickets
The first match saw HP Canada emerge victorious by 3 wickets in a closely fought contest. Nepal batted first and were bowled out for 143 in 39.4 overs, with top contributions coming from Anil Kumar (34 off 49 balls) and Arjun Saud (33 off 72 balls). Despite their best efforts, Nepal couldn’t build significant partnerships, largely due to HP Canada’s Shahid Ahmadzai, who was the star of the match with a brilliant 5/27 in his 7.4 overs.
In response, HP Canada chased down the target in 36.5 overs, finishing at 143/7. Yuvraj Samra top-scored for the hosts with 44 off 56 balls, guiding his team to a narrow win. Nepal’s Anil Kumar was the pick of their bowlers, delivering an impressive spell of 4/24 in his 10 overs. Despite his efforts, Nepal couldn’t prevent HP Canada from crossing the finish line. Shahid Ahmadzai’s outstanding bowling performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Match 2 – October 5: Nepal Bounces Back with 20-Run Win
Nepal came back strong in the second match, securing a 20-run victory. Batting first, Nepal managed to post 176 runs before being bowled out. Key contributions came from Sompal Kami, who scored a quickfire 31 off 33 balls, and Dipendra Singh Airee, who added a solid 27 runs from 40 balls. HP Canada’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Sukhjinder Singh, Nishant Bhargava, and Irfan Sadaat each taking 2 wickets to keep Nepal from posting a higher total.
In response, HP Canada struggled to maintain momentum in their chase, eventually falling short at 156 all out. Oliver Cox (39 off 78 balls) and Munir Kakar (36 off 57 balls) were the top scorers for the Canadian side, but Nepal’s disciplined bowling, led by Lalit Narayan and Gulshan Kumar Jha, who each took 2 wickets, helped them defend their total. Dipendra Singh Airee was named the Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.
Looking Ahead
With the series tied at 1-1, Nepal and HP Canada will face off in two more matches on the 7th and 8th of October. These matches will be crucial for Nepal’s preparations before heading to the USA. As both teams look to build on their performances, fans can expect more exciting cricket in the upcoming games. Nepal will aim to fine-tune their strategies, while HP Canada will look to continue testing their young talents against international competition.
