Gauchan puts Nepal in control

Malaysia 132 and 3 for 1 trail Nepal 198 (Gauchan 69, Khadka 44, Navaratnam 5-60) by 63 runs
Scorecard

Shakti Gauchan scored an unbeaten half-century and Mehboob Alam claimed three Malaysian tailenders' wickets, to put Nepal on top on the second day of their three-day match in the ICC Intercontinental Cup. Malaysia added only one run - from 3.5 overs - to their overnight score of 131 for 6 before being bowled out in the morning session. Mehboob Alam claimed 3 for 0 in 1.5 overs, after Raju Khadka, the captain, had dismissed RV Suppiah.

Alam removed M Marimuthu for 3, and bowled S Sakadivan and trapped Mohammad A Rahim lbw, both for 0. In reply, Nepal started badly, but Gauchan's unbeaten 69 helped them take a 66-run lead before being bowled out for 198 in 84.1 overs. At stumps on the second day, Malaysia were 3 for 1. Offspinner Sanjam Regmi, who claimed three first-innings wickets, trapped RM Selvaratnam, the first-innings top-scorer, lbw.

For Nepal, Paresh Lohani departed for just 5, while Alam, the other opener, scored a run-a-ball 22, including five fours. Nepal came under pressure after Bikash Dali (5) was trapped by the Malaysian captain, Suresh Navaratnam, who finished with impressive figures of 20-1-60-5. When Gauchan came in, Nepal were 31 for 2, but he kept the scoreboard ticking and batted almost throughout the day.

Khadka supported Gauchan during a 106-run partnership, striking five fours in his 44. Raju Basnet made 23, while others failed to reach double figures. Gauchan, who had led the U-19s in the Youth World Cup, batted for 275 minutes, and faced 231 balls.

S Jayawardana claimed two wickets, while K Munandey, R Vishnu and A Rahim grabbed one apiece.