Lamichhane's five-for skittles Bahrain for 87

Sandeep Lamichhane marked his return as Nepal's ODI captain with a five-wicket haul as Bahrain were bowled out for just 87 in the opening innings of their ACC Men's Premier Cup match in Bangi on Monday.

Lamichhane completed his ten-over spell with remarkable figures of 5 for 14, including four maidens. Lalit Rajbanshi took 3 for 20 from 6.2 overs, while Karan KC returned 2 for 14 from eight overs as Nepal dismissed Bahrain in 36.2 overs.

Nepal will require 88 runs to begin their 50-over tournament campaign with a victory at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval.

Karan provided the opening breakthrough by bowling Asif Ali for four with the total on six. He later removed Fiaz Ahmed, Bahrain’s top scorer, for 15 to reduce the batting side to 29 for two.

Rajbanshi struck at the same score, having Prashant Kurup stumped by Aasif Sheikh for nine. From there, Lamichhane took control of the innings.

The Nepal captain bowled Ahmer Bin Nasir for two before Aasif completed another stumping to dismiss Shujaat Rasool for two. Lamichhane then bowled Imran Anwar for nine and trapped Asif Shaikh and Rizwan Butt lbw to complete his five-wicket haul.

Bahrain slipped from 29 for one to 70 for nine as Nepal’s spinners repeatedly broke through the middle and lower order.

Muhammad Wasim made 13 from 27 balls before being bowled by Rajbanshi. Ali Dawood, who scored 10, added 17 runs for the final wicket with Abdul Majid before Rajbanshi completed the innings by having him caught by Karan.

Majid remained unbeaten on eight after facing 58 deliveries. Bahrain received 12 extras, their fourth-highest contribution of the innings.

Nepal’' bowlers delivered 11 maiden overs between them. Karan and Lamichhane bowled four each, while Rajbanshi, Hemant Dhami and Dipendra Singh Airee contributed one apiece.

The wickets were shared exclusively by Lamichhane, Rajbanshi and Karan, giving Nepal complete control at the halfway stage of their first Group A fixture.