KATHMANDU, July 6

Nepal national cricket team’s first official practice match against Oman ended in a no result after the second bout of rain at the Stormont grounds in Belfast on Monday.

Invited to take the first strike after Nepal skipper Paras Khadka won the toss, Oman had reached 115-4 in 16.3 overs before rain forced players off the field. Nepal were handed a revised target of 126 in 16 overs under D/L method and they were 6-0 in 0.3 overs when the match was halted for the second time. The match was called off as further play was not possible due to persistent rain.

Zeeshan Maqsood top scored for Oman with 44 off 31 balls that included four boundaries and three sixes. For Nepal, Shakti Gauchan, Sagar Pun, Gyanendra Malla and Jitendra Mukhiya claimed a wicket each. Nepal will play their second and final practice match against the United Arab Emirates at the same venue on Tuesday.

Nepal are in Ireland to participate in the ICC World T20 Qualifiers where they will face the defending champions Ireland, Hong Kong, Jersey, Namibia, Papua New Guinea and the USA in Group A. Nepal, who made their maiden appearance in the previous World Cup after finishing third in the qualifiers, will open this year’s campaign with a match against the USA on July 10. Afghanistan, Canada, Kenya, the Netherlands, Oman, Scotland and the UAE are in Group B. Six qualifiers from the 14-team tournament will join 10 Full Members in the ICC World Twenty20 slated for March 11 to April 3 next year in India.