Subash Khakurel found back form with a half century lifting ‘Nepal Orange’ to the top of the Super League Cricket Tournament at the TU grounds on Tuesday.

Sharad Vesawkar-led Orange registered their second consecutive victory to push Paras Khadka-skippered Nepal ‘Red’ to the second, while Nepal ‘Grey’ – under veteran left arm spinner Shakti Gauchan – also registered their second victory to keep their hopes alive for the second round of the league. Orange, Blue and Grey have four points each with the latter playing one match more.  

In Kirtipur, Orange cruised past Basanta Regmi-led Nepal ‘Green’ by seven wickets after Khakurel – dropped from national squad for the WCL matches against Scotland in August due to poor form – got involved in two big partnerships. Green made 183 all out in 48.4 overs before Orange replied with 185-3 from 38. It was Green’s third successive defeat.

Khakurel gave a perfect start adding 58 runs for the first wicket with Faizlur Rahman Khan (24) and took the team close to victory with another 89-run stand with skipper Vesawkar.

Khakurel, who completed his half century off 68 balls, made 68 from 95 with seven fours and a six. Vesawkar sailed the team home with a patient 44 off 81 that included two fours and a six.

Earlier, Mahesh Chhetri (23) and Amit Shrestha (29) shared 52-run opening wicket stand for the first wicket but Green kept on struggling losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Regmi and Santosh Bhatt contributed 35 runs each for Green.

Regmi hit three fours in 67 deliveries, while Bhatt’s 37-ball gritty knock included four hits to the fence. Avinash Karn and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up three wickets each for Orange.

In Pulchowk, Grey condemned Blue to their second consecutive defeat with a slim 10-run victory despite being bundled out for 127 in 33.2 overs. Grey put an all round bowling performance in their defense as Blue were 117 all out in 42.4 overs.

No 8 batsman Mehboob Alam made 31 off 44 with three fours and a six down the order, while Sanjay Basnet (22) was their next best scorer. Lalit Singh Bhandari picked up three wickets for Grey with Irshad Ahmed taking two scalps. Grey were also heading towards a humiliating total at 88-9 before Prakash KC pushed the team past triple figures with a 39-run stand with last man Bhandari (six).

KC was unbeaten on 40 off 50 with three fours and a six, while Hasim Ansari made 24 from 26 with four boundaries. Rahul Pratap Singh took 4-29 from nine overs for Blue and all round Alam snapped 3-19.