Kathmandu, February 14:

Nepal lost to Zimbabwe by three wickets despite Gyanendra Malla’s superb half century in the second practice match on the eve of the ICC U-19 World Cup at the Royal Military College Grounds in Kuala Lumpur today.

Electing to bat first, Nepal scored 203-8 in their allotted 50 overs thanks to 85 runs

from Malla but Zimbabwe replied with 206-7 in 48.3 overs.

Nepali openers Mahesh Chhetri (13) and Anil Kumar Mandal (10) started the proceedings with caution adding 28 runs on the board before P Masvaure had Chhetri caught by wicketkeeper T Chimbambo in the 14th over. Mandal was also dismissed three overs later before Malla and skipper Paras Khadka consolidated the Nepali innings.

Malla and skipper Khadka put on 67-run stand for the third wicket. Malla scored 85 from just 83 balls that included 14 fours. Khadka made 24 from 42 balls. Rom Shrestha contributed 22 with one four and a six while Rahul Bishwokarma chipped in 14-ball 12.

Masvaure was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with 3-32 from 10 overs.

S Mire, T Chitongo and S Matsika also claimed one wicket each for Zimbabwe side.

Zimbabwe was struggling at 3-42 in the 17th over and their misery deepened further with opener H Denembira retired hurt for 37 runs. But Masvaure and Chimbambo rescued their team with excellent stroke play, making the lower order batsmen to play freely later in the innings.

Masvaure scored 33 and Chimbambo remained unbeaten on run-a-ball 49.

Nepali skipper Khadka took 4-35 from 9.3 overs while Chandra Saud (1-32) and Rahul Bishwokarma (1-32) bagged one wicket apiece. Earlier on Tuesday, Nepal defeated Bermuda by 188-run in the first of the two official practice matches at the Kilat Club.

The ICC Under-19 World Cup starts from February 17 with Nepal opening their campaign against Sri Lanka at the Penang Sports Club the next day.

Nepal will play their second Group ‘C’ match against Australia on February 19 before taking on Namibia two days later at the University Sains Malaysia.