Kathmandu, March 9
Nepal have beaten Papua New Guinea by 52 runs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at TU cricket ground on Thursday.
Put to bat first, Nepal started off positively with the openers, Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, putting up a 110-run opening partnership.
Bhurtel held out to Hekure for 43, but Sheikh continued his fine form scoring a run-a-ball 110. The middle order did not contribute as much as Kushal Malla and Gyanendra Malla got out cheaply while captain Rohit Paudel did not capitalise on his start.
Bhim Sarki also contributed with 44 runs from 38 balls with small partnerships with the tailenders and taking Nepal to 297, their highest score ever in an ODI.
In reply, PNG made a good start with the openers putting up a 77-run stand. Once Kiplin Doriga got out, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for 245.
Rape-accused Sandeep Lamichhane shined with the ball once again picking up four wickets. Dipendre Singh Airee picked two wickets and Kushal Malla ended up with one wicket.
With this win, Nepal have amassed 34 points in 33 games of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
Nepal are now one win away from securing their ODI status and three win away from reaching the qualifiers of the ICC Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe.
Nepal will play the UAE on Sunday.
