DUBAI, NOV 19
Propped by an unbeaten 71-run stand between captain Paras Khadka (26) and Bindo Bhandari (51, 23 balls, 1×4, 6x6s) enabled Nepal to register their third win as they routed Papua New Guinea by seven wickets with one over and four balls to spare in their Group B match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium here today. Nepal have played so far four matches and garnered six points and with net run rate of +0.850 were at the second place in points table. Netherlands, who have also played four matches and have won three and are leading the table with net run rate of +1.502. Netherland handed out a seven-wicket thrashing to Denmark in another Group B match. Denmark are without a win out of four matches they have played so far.
PNG won the toss and decided to bat. They could muster only 140 for 6 in allotted 20 overs. Geraint Jones was the top contributor with 55 in 53 balls and hit four sixes. Jones and Mahuru Dai (36 not out, 22 balls, 2x4s, 2x6s) helped PNG recover to 112 for 6 in 17.1 overs with a 34-run stand. Tony Ura contributed 22 runs (14 balls, 3x4s, 1×6).
Paras Khadka (3 for 22) and Amrit Bhattarai (2 for 27) restricted PNG to 140 for 6.
Chasing a victory target of 141, Nepal got off to a fine start as their openers Subash Khakurel (38, 37 balls, 4x4s, 1×6) and Sagar Pun (10) put on 36 runs in 6.4 overs before Pun was bowled by Chris Amini. Paras Khadka (26) and Bindo Bhandari (51) stitched an unbeaten 71-run partnership for fourth wicket as Nepal surpassed their rivals’ total by scoring 141 for 3 in 18.2 overs.
Brief scores:
Papua New Guinea: 140 for 6 (Tony Ura 22, Geraint Jones 55, 4x6s, Mahuru Dai 36 not out, 2x4s, 2x6s, Amrit Bhattarai 2 for 27, Paras Khadka 3 for 22).
Nepal: 141 for 3 in 18.2 overs (Subash Khakurel 38, 4x4s, 1×6, Sagar Pun 10, Gyanendra Mall 10, Paras Khadka not out 26, Binod Bhandari not out 51, 1×4, 6x6s).