Kathmandu. Papua New Guinea (PNG) has set Nepal a target of 204 runs in the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two series in UAE. Despite a good start with the bowling, Nepal could not maintain it in the death overs and PNG suffered a 200-run loss. PNG added 43 runs in the last five overs.
Batting first after losing the toss at the Dubai International Cricket Ground, PNG scored 203 runs for the loss of 9 wickets after playing the entire 50 overs. After scoring 100 runs in the first 30 overs, PNG then scored 103 runs in 20 overs.
Chad Sapar, batting at number seven, and skipper Asad Vala top-scored with 36 runs for PNG. Sapar played 53 balls and scored an unbeaten 36 with the help of 2 fours. Similarly, Cece Bowle scored 31, Kiplin Dufariga scored 29 and Norman Vanua scored 25 runs. Heeri Heeri got out after scoring 10 runs.
Gulsan Jha took the maximum 3 wickets for Nepal. He bowled 9 overs and conceded 28 runs. Kushal Malla bowled 8 overs and took 2 wickets for 43 runs. Sompal Kami, Karan KC and debutant Pratish ji took 1-1 wickets. Sompal spent just 17 runs in 6 overs keeping 1 maiden. Karan spent 30 runs in 9 overs keeping 2 maidens.
Pratish, one of the most expensive Nepali bowlers, spent 37 runs while bowling 6 overs in the first match.
