Kathmandu, September 21

Nepal national cricket team defeated Mylapore Recreation Club by 52 runs in their second practice match at the SRM University Cricket Ground in Chennai today.

Batting first, Nepal scored 251-6 in their allotted 50 overs riding on a century from vice-captain Gyanendra Malla, while MRC reached 199-8. Openers Malla and Sagar Pun made a brisk start putting on 67 runs in 20 overs after skipper Paras Khadka opted to take the first strike.

Pun was the first to go scoring 25 runs, while Malla retired hurt after scoring 100 of 123 balls that included 13 fours and a six. Sharad Vesawkar scored 48 off 73 balls hitting three fours, while skipper Khadka struck three boundaries in his 10-ball 22.

Karan KC scored 20 off just 10 balls that included a four and two sixes, while Aarif Sheikh (six) and Sompal Kami (16 off nine) remained unbeaten. Ganesh Moorthi, Avr Rathnam and N Harish took two wickets each for MRC.

In reply, Opener R Vivek top scored for the home team with 38 off 46 balls hitting two each fours and sixes, while his partner Sudham Sanjeev struck four boundaries and a six in his 79-ball 37. Avr Rathnam remained unbeaten on 35 off 56 balls hitting two fours, whereas Md Asif Ya scored 33 off 54 balls that included four fours and a six.

Sushan Bhari, Sagar Pun and Dipendra Singh Airee took two wickets each for Nepal, while Sandeep Lamichhane grabbed one.

The Nepali team, which is in India to prepare for the ICC World Cricket League Championship matches against Hong Kong, will play their third practice match on Saturday. Nepal had registered a 153-run victory over Dindigul Dragons at the same venue on Tuesday.

Nepal will travel to Hong Kong for the sixth-round matches of the WCL Championship slated for October 13 and October 15.