By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu – Nepal registered a second consecutive win against Sri Lankan Navy Sports Club during a tour to the island nation for practice matches. Despite an inspired performance by Nepali bowlers, the national team was able to defeat the Sri Lankan Navy by 81 runs.
Sri Lankan Navy, who were chasing a modest target of 197 runs for victory, were all out in 30.5 overs with just 115 runs on board. Spinner Pawan Sharaff took three wickets for Nepal while Dipendra Singh Airee took two wickets. Captain Sandeep Lamichhane, Bikram Sob and Kushal Bhurtel took a wicket each.
Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal posted 196 runs in 43.4 overs losing all wickets. Nepal’s middle-order batsman Dipendra Singh Airee topscored 63 runs.
Due to poor batting, the local club of Sri Lanka was able to take four wickets of the top-order batsmen before the middle-order steered the innings. Nepal’s opener Gyanendra Malla was out for just 1 run while Kushal Bhurtel was out for 3 runs. Likewise, Rohit Poudel was sent to the pavilion with 3 runs while Binod Bhandari was out for 2 runs.
Nepal is playing practice matches in Sri Lanka as a preparation for the ICC World Cup League 2 to be held in the UAE next week.
Nepal will reach the UAE on March 14 to compete against the UAE and Papua New Guinea under the World Cup League-2 from March 16 to March 22.
Nepal is sixth in the ICC World Cup League-2 with four wins and four losses in eight matches. The World Cup League-2 will run until 2023 and the top three teams in the league will directly qualify for the ODI World Cup to be held in the same year. Other four teams will have to compete in the play-off to secure a place in the ODI World Cup.
Nepal’s Match Schedule during UAE visit:
March 16: Vs Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
March 18: Vs UAE, Dubai International Cricket Stadium
March 21: Vs UAE, Dubai
March 22: Vs Papua New Guinea, Dubai
