Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, April 22:

Opener Paresh Lohani scored a half century as Nepal scored 206/8 on the first day of the three-day match against Singapore under the ACC Fast Track Countries’ Tournament today. After the first day, both Nepal and Singapore earned four points each. Nepal chose to bat after skipper Binod Das won the toss at at the Singapore Indian Association ground. Lohani scored 71 off 140 balls including 14 hits to the ropes before being caught by Riaz Altaf off the bowling of Rizwan Nasir. Kanishka Chaugain was the first man out, scoring 18 off 47 balls including three fours. The opening stand of 53 runs was broken by Shoib Razzak, who trapped Chaugain leg before in the first ball of the 16th over. After losing top-scorer Lohani, who shared another 65-run partnership with Mahesh Chhetri, Nepal struggled to build partnerships. Chhetri scored 20 off 72 balls which included two fours. Nepal lost another quick wicket of Raju Basnyat and were struggling at 118/3.

Vice captain Shakti Prasad Gauchan faced 88 balls to score seven runs, while Paras Khadka was out for one. Coach Arun Kumar Aryal’s decision to drop Mehboob Alam to No 6 worked as the regular opener scored 46 off 74 balls, which included sic boundaries and a towering six. Skipper Binod Kumar Das (4) and Raju Basnyat (2) were out cheaply, while wicketkeeper-batsman Manoj Baisya (17) and Raj Kumar Pradhan (5) remained at the crease when bad light stopped play 6.4 overs earlier of the 90-over scheduled close. Baisya has so far hit four boundaries, while Pradhan has hit one.