KATHMANDU, Oct 16: Nepal cricket teen sensation Sandeep Lamichhane started his Afghanistan Premier League (APL) campaign picking up two wickets in a losing cause when his team Nangarhar Leopards lost to Paktia Panthers by seven wickets on Sunday.
In the match played at Sharjah, Leopards after winning the toss and electing to bat first,
presented a target of 127 runs losing all its wickets. In reply, the winning team Panthers chased the target in 14.4 overs hitting 129 runs for the loss of three wickets.
Rahmat Shah hit the most 32 runs off 38 balls which included two boundaries for Leopards, while he was supported by Johnson Charles who scored 22 runs off 16 balls with a six and three fours.
Likewise, captain Ben Cutting hit 21 runs off 12 balls including two sixes, while Anton Devcich and Naveen-ul-Haq contributed with 14 and 13 runs respectively.
12 leopards dead in Palpa
All the other losing team batsmen failed to reach the double figures.
Ziaur Rahman picked up the most wickets for the winning team as he claimed three wickets giving away 27 runs in four overs. He was supported by Isuru Udana and Shahid Afridi as they nicked two wickets each.
Similarly, Yousuf Zazai added a wicket for Panthers.
In reply, Panthers captain Mohammad Shahzad hit the most 78 runs off 43 balls including eight sixes and four boundaries, while Ishanullah scored 25 runs off 14 deliveries which included a six and three fours.
Likewise, Samiullah Shenwari hit not out 19 runs off 17 balls with two sixes.
Lamichhane was the highest wicket taker for Leopards picking up two wickets giving away 23 runs in four overs.
He had an economy of 5.75 and sent Cameron Delport and Sikandar Raza to their pavilion in single figures.
The other wicket taker for Leopards was Mujeeb Ur Rahman who claimed a wicket.
