Veshwakar's allround performance give victory in first practise match

KATHMANDU, July 17 - Sharad Vesawkar put up an all-round show as Nepal edged Sri Lanka Cricket Board Colts XI by two runs in a practice match played at the St Sebastian College Ground on Thursday. Vesawkar made a classy fifty as Nepal made 248/7 in 45 overs after being put in to bat and then returned with the cherry to scalp four wickets to restrict the Lankans to 246/8 in 45 overs. Nepal owed the big score to a solid 78-run opening start provided by Mahesh Chhetri and Kaniska Chaugain. Chhetri made 52 off 66 balls while Chaugain, making a come back after returning from the United States on a holiday, hit 43 off 55 with five fours and a six. After the fall of openers and Dipendra Chaudhary (0), Vesawkar forged up a crucial partnership with Gyanendra Malla, who made 29 off 24 with a boundary and two sixes, to maintain the momentum. Vesawkar hit three fours and one six in his unbeaten 61-ball innings of 54. Allrounder Paras Khadka (26 off 30) and Shakti Gauchan (28* off 27) then gave Vesawkar company to build up a formidable total. Mehboob Alam (1) and Basanta Regmi (0) were the other batsmen who got chance to bat. Haroon Majood took 4/58 in nine overs for the Lankan side. Chasing the imposing target, the Lankans also made a great start with openers Trevin Fernando (45 off 71) and Rajitha Mendis (51 off 50) adding 88 runs in 17 overs. But Vesawkar turned up with a brilliant nine-over spell taking 4/45 to fashion the narrow win. Sanjam Regmi and Paras were the other wicket-takers getting a wicket each for Nepal which is preparing for the ACC Elite Cup to be held in Malaysia later this month.