Kathmandu, September 27

Nepal national cricket team faced a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in the opening match of the Singapore Twenty20 Tri-series at the Indian Association grounds in Singapore on Friday.

Batting first, Nepal posted 132-6 in their allotted 20 overs before Zimbabwe reached 133-5 with 11 balls to spare. Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee top scored for Nepal with 33-ball 40 hitting five fours, while Sompal Kami struck three sixes in his 14-ball 25.

Skipper Paras Khadka (18), Sandeep Jora (17) and Binod Bhandari (11) contributed in double figures. Skipper Sean Williams was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers taking 2-19, while Wellington Masakadza, Tendai Chatara, Neville Madziva and Ryan Burl grabbed one wicket each.

In reply, Nepal reduced Zimbabwe to 64-5 in 10 overs before Ryan Burl and Richmond Mutumbami took the team home with unbroken 69-run partnership. Burl stuck three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 41 off 36 balls, while Mutumbami scored 28-ball 40 not out hitting one boundary and four sixes.

Sandeep Lamichhane took 3-15 from four overs for Nepal, while Paras Khadka grabbed

one wicket.

Nepal will take on hosts Singapore on Saturday in their second and last match of first round. Then, Nepal will play against Zimbabwe and Singapore on October 1 and October 2 respectively in the second round matches.

After the tournament in Singapore, the Nepali team will travel to Muscat to take part in Oman Pentangular Series, which also features Hong Kong, Ireland and the Netherlands. Nepal will open the campaign with a match against Hong Kong on October 6 and play against the Netherlands the following day.

Nepal will face Ireland on October 9 and end the tournament with a match against hosts Oman on October 10. All the matches will be played at the Al Emarat Cricket Stadium in Muscat.