Nepal A bagged a thrilling win against Ireland Wolves in the final match of the three-match T20 series on Monday.
The home side were victorious by three runs at TU Cricket Ground but Ireland Wolves won the series 2-1. The Irish side won the first two matches and were the series winner with a match to spare.
Chasing a massive target of 214 runs, The Wolves came agonizingly close, reaching 210 runs but falling short by a mere three runs in a nail-biting final-over showdown.
The Wolves found themselves requiring 31 runs from the last two overs when Kamal Singh Airee managed to dismiss the well-set batsman Gareth Delany, who had amassed 68 runs. However, Airee conceded 12 runs in the penultimate over. With the pressure mounting, Rashid Khan was entrusted with the task of defending 20 runs from the final over. Despite conceding 14 runs from the first four balls, Khan held his nerve and successfully safeguarded the score.
They were 52/4 at one stage but Morgan Topping and Gareth Delany shared 129 runs for the fifth wicket. Topping scored 60 runs from 37 balls whilst Delany scored 68 from the equal balls.
Bipin Khatri was a pick of a bowler for Nepal, grabbing three wickets (4-1-23-3). Rashid Khan, Kamal Airee and Narayan Joshi grabbed one wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal piled up 213/7 after being asked to bat first. They were 80/4 in the 11th over but managed to post a big score – courtesy of Aarif Sheikh’s big inning. Sheikh hammered 48-ball 93 with the help of seven fours and six sixes. Rashid Khan (24) and Kamal Singh Airee (19) also notched up quick cameo at the end.
For Ireland, Fionn Hand picked up two wickets. The other four bowlers grabbed one each.
Ireland Wolves and Nepal will now engage in a three-match One Day series starting on April 3.
