KATHMANDU - Karan KC produced a career-best ODI spell after reaching the 100-wicket landmark as Nepal restricted Namibia to 211/7 in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Utrecht on Monday.
Namibia, batting first at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, were held to a moderate total despite a patient century from Jan Frylinck. The left-handed allrounder made 100 off 149 balls, hitting three fours, before being run out at the non-striker's end by Rohit Paudel.
It was Frylinck's second ODI century and a vital innings for Namibia in difficult batting conditions. He held the innings together after Nepal's bowlers kept the scoring rate under control for long periods.
For Nepal, Karan was the standout performer. He finished with 5/29, his best figures in ODI cricket, improving on his previous best of 5/33. The spell came on the same day he became the first Nepal pacer and only the second Nepal bowler to complete 100 ODI wickets.
Karan entered the match two wickets short of the landmark and reached the milestone during the innings. He then completed his five-wicket haul to keep Namibia from accelerating at the death.
Louren Steenkamp also made an important 59 for Namibia, but Nepal struck regularly enough to prevent the innings from moving beyond control. Rohit's run out of Frylinck ended the biggest resistance of the innings.
Nepal now need 212 runs to register their first win of the Netherlands tri-series.
