Paudel debut at 15 makes Nepal’s win special

NEW DELHI: Nepal’s historic maiden ODI win on their tour of Netherlands on Friday was made further memorable with Rohit Paudel’s debut at 15 years, 335 days, making him the fourth youngest to play international one-dayers.

Nepal defeated Netherlands by one run off the last ball in Amstelveen on Friday to record their first ever one-day international victory in the second ODI. Coming at number 6, Paudel however scored just six.

COLLAPSE

Chasing 217 to win, the Dutch were comfortably placed at 114-2 at one stage, before losing their next seven wickets for 71. The final pair of Paul van Meekeren (12) and Fred Klaassen (13) steadied the ship to leave the home side needing six runs off the last

over.

However, needing one run to tie and two to win off the last ball, Klaassen was run out by Nepal skipper Paras Khadka off his own bowling to give the sport’s

newest one-day international side a thrilling win.

The series finished 1-1 after the Netherlands won the first match at the same venue by 55 runs on Wednesday.

Earlier, Sompal Kami, batting at eight, top-scored for Nepal with 61 off 46 balls with five boundaries and three sixes.

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK

Khadka added 51 with six fours and two sixes as Nepal recovered from 88-5 to reach 216 all out in the 49th over.

For the Netherlands, Wesley Barresi top-scored with 71, an innings which featured eight boundaries. Teenage leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichanne was the pick of the Nepal bowlers with 3/41.

Brief scores: Nepal 216 in 48.5 overs (S Kami 61, P Khadka 51, F Klaassen 3/38) bt Netherlands 215 in 50 overs (W Barresi 71, S Lamichhane, 3/41) by 1 run.