Second defeat for Nepal in Australia

By a staff reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 17: Nepal suffered a 32-run defeat against Bangladesh ‘A’ in the second match of the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Australia.

Chasing a target of 187 at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Saturday, Nepal managed 154 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.

This marked Nepal’s second consecutive loss, following a 42-run defeat to local side Northern Territory Strikers in their opening match on Friday.

Kushal Malla top-scored for Nepal with an unbeaten 59 off 47 balls, including six fours and a six. Ashif Sheikh added 28, Lokesh Bam 15, Nandan Yadav 14 not out, Kushal Bhurtel 12 and captain Rohit Paudel 10. For Bangladesh, Rakibul Hasan claimed three wickets, Hasan Mahmud took two, while Tofel Ahmed and Ripon Mondol picked up one apiece.

Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh posted 186 for six in 20 overs. Opener Jishan Alam led the innings with 73, while Afif Hossain remained unbeaten on 48. Mohammad Naim contributed 25 and Saif Hasan 11.

For Nepal, Regmi Dhakal took two wickets, with Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC and Nandan Yadav each taking one.

Nepal will next face Melbourne Stars on 18 August, Hobart Hurricanes on 19 August, Melbourne Renegades on 20 August and Pakistan Shaheens on 22 August.

Following the series, Nepal will play five practice matches against Cricket Australia and South Australia between 26 and 30 August: two T20s against Australia on 26 August, two T20s against South Australia on 28 August, and one ODI against South Australia on 30 August.

The tour is part of Nepal’s preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia-Pacific qualifiers scheduled for October.