Kathmandu, February 17:

Nepali national team went down to Jharkhand Cricket Team by 151 runs in a 90-over match in Jhankhand, India.

Nepali team is currently touring India for practice matches with the local teams for the preparation of the ICC Inter-continental Challenge Cup against Namibia from March 23-26 in Namibia.

Riding on a century from openers SP Gautam and half century of Skinder Hayat, Jharkhant amassed a massive 373 for nine in 90 overs. In reply, Nepal could muster 222 runs in 76.2 overs.

Electing to bat first, openers Gautam and Hayat put on 140-run stand for the first wicket. Gautam scored 107 off 185 balls while Hayat made 78 off 156 balls. Keshav Kumar scored a quick fire 72 off 64 balls with Atul Priyanka (39) and Mohit Goel (35) contributing significantly.

For Nepal, vice captain Shakti Gauchan claimed four wickets conceding 43 runs in 14 overs while Raj Kumar Pradhan took two and Binod Das and Sanjam Regmi pocketed one each.

Except for lower-order batsman Dhirendra Chand, only openers Mahaboob Alam and Paresh Lohani helped Nepal score runs. Alam top-scored for Nepal with 87 off 120 balls while Lohani made 35 in 52 balls. Chand chipped in with 34 runs facing 53 deliveries.

For Jharkhand, Juniad Ali and Keshav Kumar claimed four wickets each while Sujit Roy took two. Nepal will play a 50-over match against Muzaffarpur on Saturday.