Tri-Nation T20I Series: Nepal beat PNG by 15 runs

KATHMANDU: Nepal has made a winning start in the ongoing Tri-Nation T20I Series in the Capital on Monday.

In the first match held at the TU ground in Kirtipur this afternoon, Nepal beat Papua New Guinea (PNG) by 15 runs.

Chasing the target of 184 runs, PNG scored 168 runs in 19.2 overs by losing all the wickets.

With the win, Nepal has accumulated two points. The top two teams will play the final on the basis of a double round-robin format.

Skipper Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets at the cost of 22 runs for Nepal while Karan KC claimed four wickets at the cost of 44 runs.

Similarly, Abinash Bohara and Sompal Kami took two and one wickets respectively.

Asif Sheikh scored the highest 43 runs for Nepal, who were invited to bat first after losing the toss, hitting one six and five fours. Likewise, Rohit Paudel made 34 runs hitting one six and two fours and Arif Sheikh scored 31 runs off 21 balls hitting two sixes and three fours.

Likewise, Kushal Bhurtel contributed 20 runs hitting one six and three boundaries and Dipendr Singh Airee scored 19 runs and Karan KC scored 14 runs while Lokesh Bam returned to the pavilion by scoring five runs.

Other players failed to make any double-digit runs.

PNG and Malaysia will lock their horns in the second match scheduled for tomorrow.