Paras Khadka said Nepal cricket had enjoyed “one of its brightest days” after clinching a first ever one-day international series win.
Khadka, the Nepal captain, scored a century to set his side on the way to a four-wicket win over the UAE at the ICC Academy in Dubai, and set the seal on a 2-1 series win.
It was just their second official ODI series, after a draw in the Netherlands last summer, which followed them being granted that status in March.
Khadka ranked the achievement alongside qualifying to play at the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in 2014, as well as earning ODI status via the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe last year.
“[It is] one of our brightest days,” Khadka said. “Greatest? It’s difficult to say, because every time you get the chance to play for your country, it’s fabulous.
“[Alongside] getting into the [T20] World Cup, it was in Abu Dhabi, getting ODI status, and then today getting our first series win, it would have to be one of our brightest days.
“Having said that, I still remember days when results could have gone either way. In Division 2 [in Namibia last February], we had three matches that went down to the 100th over.
“A result here or there could have seen us down to World Cricket League Division 3 or 2. But we have fought through, we have come through, and we are here now.
“For the next two to three years we have this status, and we want more results like this and to be noticed around the cricketing world.”
Victory was sealed in fine style, when Sompal Kami hit CP Rizwan for six. The Nepalese players raced onto the field to celebrate, some grabbing stumps for souvenirs in the process.
After completing the post-match formalities of handshakes with their opposition, the players made their way to thank the hundreds of supporters who had come to watch, despite it being the first day of the working week.
Khadka’s century had been the first by a Nepal player in ODIs. Despite its significance, his response upon reaching three figures was understated.
“I knew that I had to win the game,” said Khadka, who subsequently fell for 115 when he was trapped lbw by Qadeer Ahmed.
High-class century by Paras Khadka, not for the first time against UAE. But now he's out, lbw to Qadeer. Nepal need 40. Four wickets, 11 overs left. Tense #UAEvNEP pic.twitter.com/y2PnACrgm2
— Paul Radley (@PaulRadley) January 28, 2019
“There have been instances in the past where I have got out and the team has been under pressure. I really wanted to get those winning runs.
“With 40 runs on the board still I should have finished the game. Sompal and Aarif [Sheikh] batted exceptionally well. I’m very happy with the boys. Everyone is putting in a lot of effort.
“We have a very young side, and we are trying to build characters and build this team. The results came in our favour, but we still have to be patient.
“We have a lot of good prospects for the future, but we have to keep grinding and keep pushing ourselves, and hopefully we can come up with results like this in the future as well.”
Khadka was named man of the match, as well as the series. It was the latest in a string of fine performances against the UAE by him.
“It is disappointing to lose this series, but is it the end of the world? No, it’s not,” Dougie Brown, the UAE coach, said.
“We had plans for Paras, and we put him under a lot of pressure. The key to the plans is making sure it continues for a long period of time.
“Part of the plan is not to give him an easy release. We didn’t follow up our plan with the ball we needed to execute next, and that was disappointing.”
