Nepal lose to Gloucestershire

KATHMANDU, June 29

Gloucestershire XI defeated Nepal by four wickets in the third practice match played at Bath Cricket Club grounds in Somerset today, on the eve of the Twenty20 International match against the Netherlands.

Batting first, Nepal scored 170-4 in 20 overs riding on a fine half century from skipper Paras Khadka, before Gloucestershire raced to 171-6 in 19 overs. Nepal, who are scheduled to play their fourth and final match against Bath Cricket Club, will travel to Amsterdam tomorrow for the four-match T20I series against the Netherlands beginning on Tuesday.

Nepal could not start their innings on positive note as they lost opener Subash Khakurel (three) in the second over. Sagar Pun and vice-captain Gyanendra Malla (14) added 24 runs for the second wicket. Paras Khadka then added 49 runs with Pun for the third wicket. Pun was out for 22 off 32 balls that included two fours and a six.

Khadka was involved in another crucial partnership, this time adding 65 runs with Sharad Vesawakar (12) to take the team score from 85-3 to 150-4. Khadka remained unbeaten on 73 off 54 balls, while Pradip Airee hit a four and a six in his quick six-ball 16. Oliver Currill, Miles Hammond and Dan Lezar took a wicket each.

In reply, Gloucestershire also lost an early wicket as Karan KC sent Gareth Roderick (one) back to the pavilion in the second over. KC then took another wicket of Hankins (nine) in the fourth over to reduce Gloucestershire to 31-2. Peter Handscomb and Brandon Gilmour then added 33 runs for the third wicket. Gilmour scored a quick fire 22 off 12 balls.

Handscomb and Miles Hammond combined for a 64-run stand for the fourth wicket. Handscomb scored 54 off 33 balls, while Hammond struck four fours and a six in his 28-ball 38 as the local side overcame the target with six balls to spare. KC claimed three wickets, while Sompal Kami, Basant Regmi and Sagar Pun took one each. Earlier, Nepal had faced a defeat at the hands of Middlesex County Cricket Club before registering a victory over Free Foresters in their previous two matches.