Belfast- Nepal suffered a huge eight wicket defeat at the hands of defending champions and host Ireland in the third match played at Civil Service Cricket Ground, Stormont, Belfast on Tuesday.
Ireland chased down the target of 54 runs, set by Nepal which is Nepal’s lowest score in T20 cricket, and second lowest total after Netherlands 39 VS Sir Lanka losing two wickets, and with 72 balls remaining.
That puts the host top of table with three wins from as many matches while Nepal has been dropped to the fourth position after the loss. Nepal has three points from three matches with one win, one loss, and washout against Namibia in the second match.
Nepal were invited to bat first after the Irish team won the toss. Under seaming Irish conditions, Nepal batsman flattered miserably leaving team’s score just 53/10 in 14.3 overs. The first two overs yielded 18/0 while Nepal could only make 35 runs in 12.3 overs losing all ten wicket.
The fall of wicket started when Anil Mandal gifted a catch to Kevin O”Brien off Alex Cusack in the last ball of the third over. Pradeep Airee, promoted up the order in place of Gyanendra Malla went for a first ball duck. Sagar Pun, who top scored with 20 runs from 18 balls followed him nine runs later,and it took just a matter of time for Irish bowlers to wrap up Nepal’s inning.
John Mooney, Stuart Thompson, and Kevin O”Brien combined to take eight wickets with Mooney finishing with figures 2/7, Thompson 3/10, and O’Brien 3/8.
Irish Skipper William Porterfield led his team’s chase with a fluent 18 not out off 20 balls while Paul Stirling blasted 29 runs off just 21 balls. Sompal Kami took both the wickets.
Nepal plays Hong Kong on 14th July (tomorrow) in the fourth match.
