Dev, Dipendra, Arjun regain Form in The Core Camp

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Apr 29, 2025

Nepal Blue and Nepal Red claimed commanding victories on the third day of The Core Camp at the Lower and Upper Mulpani International Cricket Ground, with key batters regaining form. Nepal Blue overcame Nepal Green by 64 runs, while Nepal Red comfortably chased down a target of 159 to beat Nepal Yellow by eight wickets.

After a delayed start due to a wet outfield, Nepal Blue elected to bat and posted 222 for 9 in the reduced 45-over contest. Dev Khanal led from the front with a composed 77 off 81 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and two sixes. He was well supported by Gulshan Jha (42) and Karan KC (24), who provided important runs in the later stages.

Captain Rohit Paudel, however, continued to struggle with the bat, managing just six runs from 20 balls before being bowled by Sagar Dhakal, who finished with figures of 3 for 53. Rashid Khan picked up two wickets, while Sompal Kami, Rijan Dhakal, and Pawan Sarraf claimed one each for Nepal Green.

In response, Nepal Green got off to a promising start through skipper Asif Sheikh, who struck a fluent 56 off 52 balls with five fours and a six. However, his dismissal to teenage leg-spinner Yuvraj Khatri triggered a collapse. Aakash Tripathi fought hard with 37 off 69 balls, and Sompal Kami remained unbeaten on 24, but no other batter reached double digits, resulting in Nepal Green being bowled out for 158 in 40.2 overs.

Yuvraj proved to be the difference-maker with the ball, taking 4 for 28 in his nine overs. His scalps included key batters Asif Sheikh, Aakash Tripathi, Dilip Nath, and Pawan Sarraf. Kushal Malla added two wickets, while Dipesh Kandel, Rohit Paudel, and Surya Tamang chipped in with one apiece.

At the Upper Mulpani, Nepal Red chased down their target of 159 against Nepal Yellow, reaching the total in 29.4 overs. Opener Arjun Saud anchored the chase with an unbeaten 86 from 96 balls, laced with 12 fours and a six. He put on an 85-run opening stand with Trit Raj Das, who made a steady 29. Shubh Kansakar added quick runs with a brisk 30 off 18 balls, including five fours and a six, before being dismissed by Ajay Chauhan.

Earlier, Nepal Yellow were restricted to 158 in 40.1 overs. Skipper Dipendra Singh Airee held the innings together with an unbeaten 90 off 108 balls, striking 11 boundaries in a timely return to form. The rest of the batting line-up failed to support him, with no other batter crossing 20.

For Nepal Red, pacer Nandan Yadav starred once again with 3 for 27, becoming the leading wicket-taker of the core camp with seven scalps so far. Pratish GC took 2 for 21, while Sandeep Lamichhane, Shahab Alam, and Aakash Chand contributed with one wicket each.