KATHMANDU, AUGUST 22

Nepal fell agonizingly short by just one run against Pakistan Shaheens in their final league match of the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Australia's Northern Territory.

Chasing a 145-run target set by Pakistan, Nepal managed only 143 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Skipper Rohit Paudel top-scored with a valiant 52, while Dipendra Singh Airee contributed an unbeaten 41, but their efforts ultimately proved insufficient.

Although Nepal made a sluggish start, a solid partnership between Rohit and Dipendra revived their innings and put them in a promising position. However, needing eight runs off the final over, Nepal could muster only six.

Earlier, having opted to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan posted 144 runs for nine wickets in 20 overs. Captain Mohammad Irfan Khan Niazi anchored the innings with an unbeaten 42. Pakistan had been reeling at 79 for seven, but Irfan's composed knock guided them to a competitive total.

For Nepal, Sompal Kami impressed with the ball, claiming three wickets for 30 runs in his four overs. Nandan Yadav and Dipendra Singh Airee picked up two wickets apiece, while Kushal Bhurtel chipped in with one.

With this narrow defeat, Nepal's campaign in the tournament came to an end at the league stage.