Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 24:

Shakti Prasad Gauchan scored an unbeaten century and took four wickets later as Nepal defeated Italy by 88 runs and entered the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series Division II Cricket Tournament at Royal Selangor Club, Kuala Lumpur today.

The win put Nepal behind Papua New Guinea in Group A. From Group B, Qatar and Fiji advanced to the final four. Nepal will play Group B winner Fiji, while Group A winner PNG take on Qatar in semi-finals.

Invited to bat after Italy skipper Joe Scuderi won the toss, Nepal amassed 304 runs losing six wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Nepal started well with openers Paresh Lohani and Mehboob Alam putting 81 runs for the first wicket.

Alam, who scored a quick fire 51 off 35 balls including 11 hits to the fence. Lohani followed after scoring 45 off 65 balls which included seven fours. No 3 Kanishka Chaugain and vice captain Gauchan then added 110 runs for the third wicket, before Chaugain was dismissed for 63 off 69 balls. At that stage, Nepal was 218/3 and were marching towards a huge score.

Gauchan, who is best known as slow player, scored unbeaten 106 off 103 balls including four hits to the fence and two sixes. Paras Khadka was bowled for a duck, while skipper Binod Das scored just eight runs. Shakti then shared a 38-run partnership with Unil Shrestha (11) for the fifth wicket and 27-run unbroken stand with Dhirendra Chand.

Italy skipper Scuderi was the most successful bowler with 3-31. In reply, Gauchan took four wickets to restrict Italy for 216/7 in 50 overs. Andrea Corbellari top-scored with 62 off 64 balls.

Mehboob Alam struck early removing opener Joe Scruderi (16) and Gauchan removed next two batsmen Hemantha Jayasena (28) and Alessandro Bonora (11), leaving Italy reeling at 79/4. After Raj Kumar Pradhan removed Corbellari, Shakti, who was later named the man of the match, added other two scalps to return with 4-29 off 10 overs.