Kathmandu, November 18

Nepal national team faced an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of home side Bangladesh in the third and final match of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Savar today.

Batting first at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan grounds, Nepal were bowled out for a paltry 138 runs in 44.3 overs before the hosts raced to 140-2 in just 24 overs. Nepal got the opportunity to participate in the tournament after the United Arab Emirates withdrew from the event.

With the defeat, Nepal ended the campaign with two points from three matches. In the Group B matches, Nepal faced a seven-wicket loss against India and defeated Hong Kong by 40 runs. Bangladesh topped the group with six points, while India finished runners-up with four. Hong lost all three matches. In Group A, Pakistan (six) and Afghanistan (four) claimed top two spots to make it to the semi-finals.

Invited to take the first strike, Nepal made a mediocre start with openers Kushal Bhurtel and skipper Gyanendra Malla sharing the double digit partnership for the first time in the tournament.

The duo had added 33 runs inside seven overs before Nepali batting line collapsed and they lost eight wickets for 52 runs in almost 21 overs.

The openers returned to the pavilion in the space of one run. Bhurtel was the first one to go, caught by Syed Minhajul Abedin off Sumon Khan, for 10 runs, while skipper Malla struck four boundaries in his 27-ball 22.

Malla reached double figures for the first time since taking over the captaincy from Paras Khadka ahead of MCC’s Legacy Tour earlier this month.

Sharad Vesawkar, who saved Nepal’s blushes against Hong Kong with a knock of 89 runs, fell for just one run, while vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee continued on his poor form scoring just six. Arif Sheikh (11) survived for 39 balls, while Pawan Sarraf (nine), Sundeep Jora (naught), Binod Bhandari (eight) also fell cheaply.

Sompal Kami and Karan KC tried to revive the innings with a 50-run partnership for the ninth wicket before they were dismissed in the space of three runs. Kami top scored with 38 off 63 balls hitting four boundaries, while KC scored 47-ball 18 with the help of one four. Sushan Bhari remained unbeaten on one.

Sumon Khan and Syed Minhajul Abedin returned with identical figures of 3-29, while Md Tanvir Islam and Mahadi Hasan grabbed two wickets each for the hosts.

In reply, Karan KC claimed the prized wicket of Soumya Sarkar to reduce Bangladesh to 34-1 in six overs but the home team batsmen were too strong for Nepali bowlers. KC had Sarkar caught by Sundeep Jora for 17-ball 11 that included a six.

Opener Md Naim Sheikh and skipper Nazmul Shanto took the team close to victory with the second-wicket partnership of 79 runs. Sheikh struck six boundaries in his 56-ball 45 before being caught by Dipendra Singh Airee off Sushan Bhari in the 21st over.

Shanto and Yasir Ali Chowdhury then took the team home without further loss. Shanto remained unbeaten on 59 off 56 balls that included six fours and two sixes, while Chowdhury struck two fours and a six in his 18-ball 15 not out.