Gyanendra Malla came for the Dhangadi Premier League (DPL) under immense pressure to deliver with the bat after poor performances in the two crucial tournaments of Nepali cricket. 

In the recently concluded ICC World Cup Qualifiers, Malla had the worst outing in Nepali colours scoring just 73 runs in six matches. That poor display had preceded by another poor display in the ICC World Cricket Division 2 in Namibia where he made just 69 runs from six matches. “There always come a lean patch in a player’s career,” Malla used to say after his previous failures and most of the times vindicated by scoring runs. But the rough patch he carried from Namibia continued in Zimbabwe Qualifiers leaving Malla with no other option than to prove himself with the bat.

His redemption finally came at the soaring temperatures of Dhangadi where he is currently at the second spot among the most run-scorers list behind Biratnagar Kings’ Hong Kong recruit Babar Hayat. The Hong Kong captain has 172 runs and Malla has 155. Dubbed technically the best batsman of Nepali cricket, the national team opener has redeemed his old self during the DPL by switching to No 3 or 4 in the Twenty20 domestic cricket. His form had particularly slid as an opener in the last two tournaments.

But in a Twenty20 event which has seen a rise in playing standard following the inclusion of foreign recruits, Malla has notched-up back-to-back half centuries to lead his side to the first Qualifiers without losing a single match in four games. Malla’s 57 was the cornerstone in Goldens’ 11-run victory over CYC Attairya. And on Friday, he walked away with man-of-the-match accolade for scoring a flawless 68 not out against Kings in a thrilling last ball victory. 

A modest Malla played down finding his form, saying: “As a team we are doing good because everyone is contributing. We are playing as team and hope to get this momentum going. Its time now for other guys to step up,” said Malla. (PR)