Kathmandu/Cricnepal: An influencing century from Naresh Budhayer was not enough for the win as Nepal faced a 19 runs defeat from a test nation New Zealand in a second warm-up match of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers at Ron McMullin Oval, Buderim, Australia today.
Following the target of 268 runs, Nepal lost an opener Pradeep Airee in the first ball of the second over at the team score of 2. Subash Khakurel, who later scored 59 runs off 96 balls, with five fours, shared a second wicket partnership of 129 runs with Budhayer and held the innings for Nepal.
Hasim Ansari scored 11 runs. Beside the three players, none of the others entered into the double digit score. Having a moderate chance of win, Nepal suffered when Budhayer was caught by Davidson in the second ball of 48th over. Budhayer made 114 runs off 142 balls with six fours.
Arnie Yugaraja picked up three wickets while Henry Walsh, Ish Sodhi and Mathhew Quinn shared a wicket each for New Zealand.
Invited to field first on losing the toss, earlier, Nepal restricted New Zealand to a score of 267 for 8.
Saurabh Khanal picked up three wickets from 8 overs conceding 46 runs. Rahul Kumar Vishwakarma grabbed two wickets while Krishna Karki and Sagar Pun picked up a wicket each.
Will Young top scored with 97 runs off 99 balls with eleven fours, Henry Walsh made 53 runs off 55 balls, Cam Fletcher remained unbeaten at 43 runs off 28 balls in New Zealand’s innings.
Robert O’Donnell contributed 17, Arnie Yugaraja added 15 and Michael Davidson made 11 for New Zealand.
Nepal had lost to PNG by 8 wickets yesterday in a first warm up match.
ICC U19 Cricket World Cup begins from Saturday while Nepal’s match being on Monday against Australia. Nepal will also face Ireland and England in the first round matches.
