KATHMANDU, SEPT 14

Jatinder Singh scored a brilliant century as Oman defeated Nepal by five wickets in the One Day International match under the ICC Cricket World Cup League-II at the Al Amerat grounds in Muscat today.

Electing to bat first, Nepal were bowled out for 196 runs in 47.1 overs before Oman raced to 200-5 with 113 balls to spare. Nepal had defeated the United States of America by five wickets in the opening match of the tri-series on Monday.

The hosts were never in trouble despite losing opener Shoaib Khan (seven) in the fourth over.

Jatinder Singh single-handedly anchored the innings. He combined with Ayan Khan (18) to add 91 runs for the second wicket before the hosts lost two quick wickets.

But Singh took the match away from Nepal scoring runs freely. Singh and Mohammed Nadeem shared a 40-run stand for the fourth wicket before a brilliant piece of fielding from Rohit Paudel ended his superb knock. Singh struck 12 fours and six sixes in his 62-ball 107. Nadeem remained unbeaten on 65-ball 38, while Suraj Kumar scored 16-ball 20.

Kushal Malla and Bikram Sob took two wickets each, while Sushan Bhari grabbed one. Nepal missed the services of star legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane after he had to stay at the pavilion due to abdominal injury.

Earlier, Nepal lost opener Kushal Bhurtel for a duck in the second ball of the innings before Aasif Sheikh and skipper Gyanendra Malla added 58 runs for the second wicket to revive the innings. Malla departed for 21 off 33 balls.

Sheikh consolidated the innings from end and he shared a 42-run partnership for the third wicket with Rohit Paudel, who scored 34-ball 20. Sheikh, who scored his maiden ODI half century, did not get much support as wickets kept tumbling at regular interval.

Sheikh top scored with 90 off 112 balls before being bowled by Bilal Khan in the 36th over. His knock included seven fours and a six. Karan KC scored 48- ball 21 with the help of one each four and six, while Sandeep Lamichhane contributed 16 off 10 balls that included one each four and six. Bilal Khan was the pick of the Oman bowlers taking 4-47 from 10 overs.

Nepal will now take on the USA on September 17 and play against Oman in the last match of the series two days later. A version of this article appears in the print on September 15 2021, of The Himalayan Times.