Nepal hailed its hero Sharad Vesawkar one more time as the middle order batsman guided his side to a much-needed victory against Namibia in their first match of the ICC World Cricket League Championship third round on Saturday. 

Vesawkar has long been given role of a finisher, carrying the burden of taking the team across the finishing line. Vesawkar had justified that role during the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers campaign in 2013, playing crucial cameos against Kenya and Hong Kong under crunch situations. 

But Saturday was a different scenario. Switched to No 3 from a lower middle order batsman, he took over from Gyanendra Malla, who 

was promoted as an opener in the absence of regular pair of Subash Khakurel and Anil Mandal. 

With Namibia setting Nepal for a tricky target of 196 on difficult batting conditions, it was Vesawkar who once again rose to the occasion. He remained calm throughout his innings allowing his non striking partners to have a go at the bowlers. Nepal were in dire straits at 113-5 before Binod Bhandari stepped in and hit three quick sixes to ease the pressure, Vesawkar still chose to hold himself back. With asking rate right 

under control, Vesawkar played anchor to the team’s chase before hitting the winning boundary. 

Vesawkar struck his first boundary in the 74th ball he faced but he had his name in the victory, a fact that might go unnoticed. Vesawkar has several innings to his name that has gone unnoticed. “I had been in this situation before. It was a similar 

knock that I had played against Uganda during the Division 3 tournament in Bermuda where I scored a half century in the final,” said Vesawkar. 

It was Vesawkar’s third List ‘A’ half century, a feat he shares with Nepal skipper Paras Khadka who has often won widespread praise. 

But Vesawkar wanted to remain prudent. “It was our first victory in the WCLC. The victory was important than my knock. We played a team game, everyone played well,” said Vesawkar adding there was pressure in Saturday’s game. 

“After the fall of five wickets, there was a little bit 

pressure. But I was given a role for such circumstances. I knew that I had to stick 

to the crease and did exactly that. Its great to see the 

team win at home under such amazing crowd,” said Vesawkar. 

Nepal coach Jagat Tamatta hailed Vesawkar. “For me, Sharad is the man-of-the-match. He held the innings and dealt with the situation. He was a perfect anchor,” said Tamatta. (PR)