Nepal’s men’s cricket team faced their third straight loss in their second CWC League 2 Tri-Series, marking their fifth consecutive defeat overall. In the third match of the Canada tour, the host nation outplayed Nepal by five wickets.
After losing their first two matches against Canada and Oman, Nepal was eager to secure their first win. However, another disappointing batting performance led to them dropping another two points.
This is the first time Nepal has suffered five consecutive defeats in ODI cricket. In 2022, Nepal went six matches without a win, but one match in between was abandoned due to rain. At that time, Nepal had experienced nine losses in 11 games, but they bounced back to win 11 out of 12 matches, ultimately finishing third in the previous CWC League 2 campaign.
Nepal took a bold decision to bat first at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground. However, that didn’t change their fate and they were bowled out for 181 in 46.1 overs. The lower order and tail once again stepped up to help Nepal post a respectful total after the failure of top-order.
Nepal were 36/5 after 12 overs having lost Arjun Saud, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Rohit Paudel and Anil Sah, all cheaply. Aarif Sheikh played a supportive role to Gulshan Jha but soon after Sheikh’s dismissal (10) in the 23rd over, Jha also walked back a few overs later. He hammered 34 runs with the help of two fours and two sixes.
Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane then shared 55 runs stand for the eighth wicket. Sompal walked back after 21 runs but Sandeep added 39 more runs with Karan KC for the ninth wicket. Sandeep notched up his career-best ODI score but unfortunately missed his half-century by just one run. He smashed five fours and one six in a 48-ball knock. Karan KC made 24 crucial runs.
In reply, Canada chased the target in 42 overs losing only five wickets. Nepal got one early wicket dismissing Aaron Johnson but the second wicket partnership between Navneet Dhaliwal and Pargat Singh faded Nepal’s chances. The duo shared 122 runs after both batters made a half-century. Pargat made 64 whereas Navneet scored 87 and received the POTM award. Skipper Nicholas Kirton finished things with a four followed by a six against Lalit Rajbanshi in the 42nd over.
For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane picked up two wickets (10-2-42-2) whereas Karan KC, Gulshan Jha and Lalit Rajbanshi got one wicket each.
Nepal will face Oman in the last game on September 24 before the T20I series kicks off.