Nepali cricket fans were left heart-broken on Saturday after edging out to Kenya at home in the first of their two-match World Cricket League series encounter.

On chilly, windy and rainy day in Kathmandu, the African side beat the home side by five wickets. Kenya, under the D/L method were given a targe of 94 runs in 26 overs. However, Kenya scored the winning runs an over and five wickets to spare.

Despite the loss, Nepal still have a chance, which is slimmer now, to earn the fourth spot in the league. But Nepal have enough reasons to come back and win the second game on Monday.

 

1.

More support for the local side

The loss on Saturday is certain to mobilise more support for the local squad. Fans will come to TU Cricket Ground in even bigger numbers to encourage their team.

 

2.

Weakness against spin exposed

Kenya’s batsmen’s main weakness has now been exposed. They just can’t handle the spinners, and Nepal has specialist spinners who can do a lot of damage in the second game.

3.

The weather

Weathermen say that things will be quite different on Monday. According to them, the weather would have cleared, and it will be a good day for cricket. That’s just what Nepal need to show their natural game.

 

4.

Time to regroup

The loss will help Nepal regroup, and work on a strategy. Nepal have the habit of coming from behind, when people least expect them to. They did the same in Netherlands last year when they were wrecked by the Dutch in the first match. But in the second match the Rhinos turned the tables on them.