Nepal lose to DDCA U-25 in first match

Kathmandu, Oct 22 – Nepal lost their first practice match of New Delhi tour going down to Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) U-25 team by four wickets at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium today.

 

Put in to bat first, Nepal made a modest 137-5 in 20 overs after Subash Khakurel top scored with 45 runs. Nepal did manage to pick up six wickets of the Indian team that included five Indian Premier League players but couldn’t stop them from reaching 138 in 19.1 overs.

 

Opener Dhruv Sorey single handedly took DDCA U-25 to victory with 73 not out from 46 balls. His whirlwind knock included 12 boundaries and a six. Pawan Negi made 26 off 16 with three boundaries and a six. Jitendra Mukhiya and Basanta Regmi picked up two wickets each for Nepal, while skipper Paras Khadka had one scalp.

 

Earlier, Nepal lost opener Sagar Pun (three) with just four runs on the board before a 77-run partnership between Subash and Gyanendra Malla ensured Nepal post a challenging total. Gyanendra made 26 off 33 with three fours and headed back to pavilion three balls before Subash departed.

 

Subash’s 40-ball innings included five hits to the fence and a six. Paras then played some delightful strokes at the end of the innings making 39 not out from 26 balls with two sixes and three boundaries. Binod Bhandari made 11 off 12.

 

Nepal are in a 10-day New Delhi tour to fine tune their preparation for the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers to be held at the United Arab Emirates from November 15-30. Nepal will play the same side at the Roshanara Club grounds on Tuesday. They are scheduled to play seven Twenty20 practice matches during the tour.

 

Source: HT