Sandeep Lamichhane's four-wicket haul sets up tense T20 victory for Nepal

Leg-spinner registers third-best bowling figures by a Nepalese in the format during win over the Netherlands

DUBAI , UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , January 28 – 2019 :- Sandeep Lamichhane of Nepal bowling during the one day international cricket match between UAE vs Nepal held at ICC cricket academy in Dubai. ( Pawan Singh / The National ) For Sports. Story by Paul
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Teen leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane produced the third-best figures by a Nepal bowler in T20 Internationals to set the stage for a thrilling win over Netherlands in the Oman Pentangular T20 series on Monday.

The Dutch were well placed at 97-2 in the 13th over before Lamichhane (4-20) and fast bowler Karan KC (4-17) derailed their innings, bowling the Netherlands out for 133.

Lamichhane, 19, took the important wicket of top-scorer Max O’Dowd (43) and had the second-best T20 figures by a Nepal bowler before Karan dismissed tailender Paul van Meekeren to rise to second spot and push Lamichhane to third.

The chase proved to be far from comfortable for Nepal. Only two top-order batsmen – captain Paras Khadka (33) and keeper Binod Bhandari (26) – reached double figures. It was down to seamer Karan to take his team past the finish line.

Karan hit 31 of just 14 balls with one four and three sixes to secure victory with four wickets and one ball in hand.

Lamichhane has become a well-known name across the globe with regular stints in the top T20 leagues. Karan is the highest wicket-taker in T20Is for Nepal with 29 and Lamichhane is behind him on 25.