Alam, Paras hit half centuries; Das claims two wickets.

Kathmandu, November 10:

Paresh Lohani struck a marvelous century while Mehboob Alam and Paras Khadka hit half centuries as Nepal stamped their authority on the first day of the three-day match against Singapore under the ACC Premier League Cricket here today.

Invited to bat first after Singapore skipper Chaminda Ruwan won the toss at Tribhuvan University Stadium, Nepal declared the first innings at 313/9 and then reduced the visitors to 47/4 before bad lights forced the game to close early.

The opening stand once again faltered as Mahesh Chhetri was out for a duck. But his partner Lohani was in good touch and went on to score his second century against Singapore in three-day format.

Lohani played cautiously and saw three other wickets tumbling at the other end. Sharad Vesawkar was bowled for 35 when he played onto the stumps, while Gyanendra Malla was caught at mid-on for four and vice captain Shakti Prasad Gauchan handed a simple catch at slip for a duck.

Lohani was playing at 34 when Mehboob Alam joined him. The duo punished the Singaporean bowlers and scored runs at will. Lohani, who got lives on 13 and 42, completed his 50 with a single off 119 balls that included seven boundaries.

At lunch, Nepal were 123/4 with Lohani on 51 and Alam on 30. The post-lunch session was more fruitful for the home team as they added 185 runs losing just two wickets in 40 overs.

Alam reached his 50 with a towering straight six of Dharmichan in the fourth over after lunch. Alam hit six fours and two huge sixes in his half century off 57 balls.

The pair added 118 runs for the fifth wicket before Alam was caught behind for 74 runs. When Alam got out Lohani was playing at 75 and was joined by another hard hitter, Paras Khadka.

Lohani, who was lucky third time when he was dropped on 82 runs at first slip, raised his century with a single of Buddhika Mendes.

His century came off 191 balls and included 11 hits to the fence. This was Lohani’s second century against Singapore. He had scored 101 in Singapore in April, 2005.

At the other end, Paras got his half-century with a huge six over mid-wicket. Nepal lost two quick wickets just before tea. Lohani departed for 103 and Basanta Regmi got out for a duck.

Nepal resumed their innings after the tea at 308/7. Skipper Binod Das scored 22 runs and Sanjam Regmi joined Paras before declaring the innings at 313/9 after 83.3 overs.

With 19 of scheduled 105 overs left on the day, Singapore did not fare well losing four wickets for just 47 runs. Seamer Binod Das, who took four wickets against the UAE recently, claimed two wickets, while leg spinner Raj Kumar Pradhan got one and one other got run out.

At the end of the day one, Nepal earned eight points, while Singapore got five. At the ACC Premier League table, Nepal are at second spot with 45.5 points, one point behind Singapore.