KATHMANDU: Nepal has entered the final of the triangular T20 International Cricket Series after winning its third match in a row. In the third match today, Nepal defeated Papua New Guinea by 37 runs to secure a place in the final of the series.
At the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, chasing Nepal’s target of 204 runs, Papua New Guinea lost all their wickets in 19.4 overs and were all out for 166 runs.
Charles Amini was the top scorer for Papua New Guinea with 62 runs. He hit nine fours off 47 balls. Tony Ura scored 43 runs. Sesse Bau contributed 25 runs while Norman Vanua scored 17.
For Nepal, Karan KC took 5 wickets including a hat-trick. Similarly, Avinash Bohara and Sompal Kami took two wickets each and captain Sandeep Lamichhane took one wicket.
Put into bat after losing the toss, Nepal made a handsome total of 203 runs at the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Dipendra Singh Airey contributed 66 runs including three fours and four sixes in 33 balls. Similarly, Rohit Poudel scored 41 runs, Ashif Sheikh 38, Mohammad Adil 31 and Kushal Bhurtel 17 runs.
Papua New Guinea’s Kabua Morea took three wickets, Riley Hekure two and Norman Vanua and Nosaina Pokana one each.
Along with today’s victory, Nepal has added 6 points in 3 games to top the points table. In the first match of the series, Nepal defeated Papua New Guinea by 15 runs and in the second match it defeated Malaysia by 6 wickets. Nepal will now play against Malaysia in the final league match on Saturday.
