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Nepal loses to Pakistan in friendly cricket

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Photo Courtesy: Raman Shiwakoti/Can Nepal’s captain Paras Khadka (R) shakes hand with Babar Azam of Pakistan after the completion of a friendly cricket match played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
By No Author
KATHMANDU, Nov 9: Nepal faced 121 runs defeat against Pakistan, which was studded with national players, in a 50-over friendly match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery 2, Abu Dhabi in the UAE on Sunday.

Nepal, chasing a huge target of 327 runs against the former world champion, managed only 205, losing five wickets in allotted 50 overs.


Anil Mandal completed half century and vice-captain Gyanendra Malla contributed 41 runs in an attempt to chase the mammoth target. Anil scored 61 runs facing 109 balls that included a six and four boundaries.

Nepal started its run chase quite comfortably and tried to establish a solid foundation as opener Anil shared 49 runs partnership with Subash Khakurel, who was caught by Anwar Ali off Yasir Shah on 26 runs from 33 balls. Subash hit four boundaries.

Anil, who was sent to the pavilion by Anwar Ali in the last ball of the 33rd over, shared 79 runs partnership for the second wicket with Sagar Pun. Sagar contributed 39 runs off 66 balls as he smashed a six and two boundaries.

Although Nepal lost its wickets at long intervals, its batsmen failed to rotate strike against the best Pakistani bowlers that recently claimed three-Test match series against England.

Later, Gyanendra hit 41 runs from 50 balls with five boundaries but failed to share big partnership as skipper Paras Khadka faced 22 balls to score 13 runs with a four and Sharad Veswakar remained not out on 14 runs off 18 balls he also hit a four.

Anwar bagged highest two wickets, while Yasir, Wahab Riaz and Ahmed Shehzad claimed one wicket each to restrict Nepal.

Earlier, Pakistan, being invited to bat first, scored 326/6 in the allotted overs as opener Azhar Ali and Shoaib Mallik completed half centuries before Ali retired hurt.

Skipper Ali, who scored 73 runs smashing two sixes and seven boundaries, shared 55 runs with Ahemed Shehzad (35 off 42) for the first wicket to give Pakistan a flying start.

However, Basant Regmi broke the opening partnership in the 11.3 overs taking the wicket of Ahemed.

However, Ali shared 103 runs stand with Mohammad Hafeez (49 off 55) before being retired hurt. Mohammad hit three sixes and three boundaries as Nepali bowlers struggled to restrain the opposition batsmen.

Nevertheless, Mohammad was caught by substitute fielder Naresh Budhayer off Sagar.

Then Younis Khan (38 off 42) shared 72-run stand for the fourth wicket with Shoaib Mallik, who also got retired hurt on 63 runs off only 49 balls that included two sixes and five fours.

Shoaib added 46 runs with unbeaten Babar Azam, who scored quick-fire 43 runs from just 29 balls. Babar hit two sixes and four boundaries as Nepal bowlers were helpless against one of the strongest Test-playing nations.

Basant bagged highest two wickets, while skipper Paras and Sagar claimed a wicket each.

Now, Nepal will face Danube Cricket Club on Wednesday and Oman on Saturday in 50-over matches before playing two List A (50-over) matches against Papua New Guinea in the second round of the ICC World Cricket League Championship on November 16 and 18.



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