Kathmandu, December 14

Nepal defeated Bangladesh by nine wickets in the first International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament here at the TU Stadium on Thursday.

Batting first, the tourists scored 77-9 in their allotted 20 overs before Nepal raced to 78-1 in 13 overs. Mohammad Ripon Uddin top scored for Bangladesh with 18 off 15 balls that included four boundaries, while opener Sazzad Hossain and Mohammad Morshed Alam scored 16 runs each.

Skipper Bipin Aryal was the pick of the Nepali bowlers taking 4-11 from four overs, while Yam Bahadur Shrestha claimed two wickets.

In reply, Nepali batsmen reached the target with ease. Opener Digam Chemjong Limbu scored an unbeaten 35 off 46 balls hitting three boundaries, while another opener Nabin Rai hit a four in his 24-ball 16 before being bowled by Mohammad Rajon Hossain.

Limbu and Rai put on 62 runs on the board inside 11 overs before the latter was dismissed. Limbu and Jung Bahadur Thapa, who scored run-a-ball 11 not out that included two fours, then took the team home without further loss.

A total of three teams, also including India, are taking part in the tournament organised by Wheelchair Cricket Association Nepal. The tournament is being played under round robin format and top two teams will advance to the final. The final is slated for Saturday. The 14-member Nepali team was formed including players from three teams — Tribhuvan Army Club, Jorpati Club and Jawalakhel Club — for the first-ever international wheelchair cricket tournament.