Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 21:

Paras Khadka scored a half century and Shakti Prasad Gauchan and Dhirendra Chand took three wickets each but could not save Nepal from going down to Papua New Guinea in the first match of the ICC World Cup Qualifying Series Division Two Cricket Tournament at Kelab Aman, Kuala Lumpur today.

Now, Nepal must win their remaining two matches against Kuwait and Italy to keep their hopes alive of making it to the ICC Trophy to be held in Ireland later this year.

Batting first after skipper Rarua Dikuna won the toss, PNG accumulated 240 runs losing eight wickets in their allotted 50 overs riding on Jamie Brazier’s 97.

Brazier hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 83-ball innings. After a shaky start PNG lost the first wicket for just one run at the hands of Shakti Gauchan. Mehboob Alam trapped Kauna Vagi for a first-ball duck with 34 runs on the board. Brazier led the fight back with a 133-run partnership with opener Uda, who scored 55 off 88 balls.

For Nepal, Gauchan was the most successful bowler with 3-20 off 10 overs, while Dhirendra Chand claimed three wickets giving away 30 runs in eight overs.

In reply, Nepal failed to overcome the target and scored 170 runs losing nine wickets. After openers Mehboob Alam (7) and Kanishka Chaigain (5) fell cheaply, Paras Khadka gave some resistance with 50 off 82 balls including five boundaries.

Paras was also involved in two crucial partnerships of 31 runs each, but that was not sufficient for Nepal to reach the target. Wicketkeeper Manoj Baishya led the fight back with unbeaten 37 off 63 balls. Skipper Binod Das scored 18 off 38 balls while opener Paresh Lohani, batting at No 5, scored 13 off 25 balls.

For PNG, Jamie Brazier returned with the figures of 10-2-31-3, while Jnoa Bakam and Mahura Dai claimed two wickets each.

In the other Group B match, Kuwait beat Italy by four wickets. Electing to bat first, Italy scored 212 for the loss of 6 wickets in 50 overs. Kuwait overcame the target in 41.2 overs losing six wicket.

In Group A matches, Fiji and Qatar registered wins. Fiji defeated Cayman Islands by nine runs. Batting first, Fiji scored 187 for seven in 50 overs, while Cayman Islands failed to overcome the target and scored 178 runs losing nine wickets.

Qatar dismissed Zambia for a paltry 65 in 32 overs and overcame the target losing one wicket in 13 overs.