Kirtipur: In a thrilling display, Nepal secured a convincing four-wicket victory over Canada in the second ODI at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Chasing Masterclass Seals the Deal: Set a competitive 287 by Canada, Nepal’s batsmen rose to the occasion with a clinical chase. Skipper Rohit Paudel (87) and Dev Khanal (76) stitched together a match-winning 150-run partnership for the third wicket, laying the foundation for victory. Anil Sha’s blistering 50 off 20 balls at the top provided the early impetus, while Kushal Malla and Sompal Kami held their nerve in the closing stages to guide Nepal home with 4.9 overs to spare.

Paudel’s Record-Breaking Heroics: Paudel, leading by example, anchored the chase with his captain’s knock. His 87-run innings included 10 boundaries and 2 sixes, showcasing his aggressive yet calculated approach. His knock also saw him surpass the record for the fastest fifty by a Nepal batsman in ODIs, previously held by Asif Sheikh.

Canada Fights Hard, But Falls Short: Opting to bat first, Canada posted a respectable 285 on the board. Aaron Johnson’s gritty 55 and an unbeaten 20 from Udaya Bhagwan were the highlights of their innings. However, Nepal’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Paudel and Kushal Malla, kept them in check, with Sompal Kami, Surya Tamang, Pawan Saraf, and Akash Chand chipping in with crucial wickets.

Stage Set for Series Sweep: Nepal has sealed the series victory with this dominant win. They will look to complete the clean sweep when they take on Canada in the third and final ODI on Monday. This series win marks a significant accomplishment for Nepal, showcasing its growing strength and potential in the international arena.