Kathmandu, February 26

Skipper Gyanendra Malla’s century went in vain as Nepal faced a 47-run defeat against Rajwada Cricket Team of India in their practice match at the Gautam Buddha University Ground in Greater Noida today.

Opting to bat first, Rajwada scored 281-8 in their allotted 50 overs before Nepal were all out for 234 runs in 47.1 overs despite the national team vice-captain scoring a century. Nepal had a disastrous run chase as opener Aasif Sheikh departed without opening his account in the fourth ball of the innings with just three runs on the board.

Malla shared a 75-run partnership for the second wicket with Sagar Pun, who was the second highest scorer for Nepal with 28 off 44 balls that included two boundaries. Malla cracked 10 boundaries in his 125-ball 104. Pun’s wicket in the 15.1 overs triggered a mini collapse as Nepal lost two quick wickets and were 103-4 in 22.5 overs.

Malla tried to revive Nepal’s innings again and added 40 runs for the fifth wicket with Dipendra Singh Airee (nine) and shared another 53-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Binod Bhandari (20) but all his efforts went in vain as he did not support from the other end. Basant Regmi remained unbeaten on 12, while Shakti Gauchan scored 14 hitting a boundary. Rajwada’s Mohammad Saffi claimed four wickets and Naresh Nama picked two wickets.

Earlier, Rajat Chapparwal’s 80-ball 91 and Madhur Khatri’s 90 off 155 led Rajwada to a fighting total. Chapparwal smashed nine boundaries and two sixes, while Khatri hit five fours and three sixes. Mohammad Saffi scored 32-ball 52 with the help of four boundaries and three sixes. Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane picked up two wickets, while Sompal Kami and Karan KC grabbed a wicket each.

The Nepali team, who travelled to India to prepare for the ICC World Cricket League Championship matches against Kenya, will play their second practice match against the same team on Tuesday. Nepal are slated to play against Kenya on March 11 and 13 at the TU Stadium in Kirtipur.