KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe in the opening fixture of the T20 Tri-Series held at the Indian Association Ground, in Singapore, on Friday.

Although Nepal posted a decent total on the board, Zimbabwean batsmen made light work of it in securing a convincing victory over the Himalayan nation today.

Earlier, Nepal had posted a meagre 132/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Zimbabwe cantered to five-wicket win with eleven balls to spare.

At one stage, Zimbabwe were reeling at 37/4 after star spinner Sandeep Lamichhane bamboozled three top-order batsmen four nought even though it was not enough to beat the African side.

Zimbabwean batsmen Ryan Burl and Richmond Mutumbami shared an unbeaten 69-run partnership for the sixth wicket to propel their team home in the opening match also featuring the hosts Singapore in the tournament.

Richmond Mutumbami's aggressive hitting turned the game on its head with 40 off just 28 deliveries studded with four massive sixes and a four. Ryan Burl also made 41 off 36 balls with three fours and two sixes.

Lamichhane was the pick-of-the-bowler with 4-0-15-3. Captain Paras Khadka chipped in with a wicket. Debutant Kushal Malla conceded 28 runs in three overs in the losing cause.

Later Zimbabwe all-rounder Richmond Mutumbami was adjudged man-of-the-match for his swashbuckling performance.

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• Nepal post 132/6 vs Zimbabwe in T20 Tri-Series