Kathmandu: Nepal ‘A’ defeated Canada ‘XI’ by two wickets as the Rhinos leveled the series 1-1 at Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on Monday.
The Nepali side successfully chased down a target of 241 runs, losing eight wickets in 49.1 overs. Batting first, the Canadian openers, Aaron Johnson and Srimantha Wijeyeratne, got off to a strong start, adding 64 runs before Sagar Dhakal dismissed Johnson LBW for 36 in 11.3 overs. Canada soon found themselves at 104/4 in the 23rd over after facing quick blows from the Nepali spinners. Wijeyeratne contributed 41 runs, while Nicholas Kirton (7) and Harsh Thaker (8) fell cheaply.
Shahab Alam was the standout bowler for Nepal, claiming three wickets with figures of 10-1-38-3. Sher Malla and Rashid Khan secured two wickets each, while Basir Ahamad and Sagar Dhakal each took one wicket.
In their chase, Nepal lost their opener Mayan Yadav cheaply as he was dismissed in the first ball, adjudged LBW by Ammor Khalid. Sher Malla followed suit quickly.
Arjun Kumal and Sundeep Jora steadied the innings, with Kumal scoring 40 runs off 64 balls, including three fours, while Jora contributed 66 runs off 74 balls, comprising seven fours and one six. Basir Ahamad added 42 runs off 63 balls with three fours and one six, while Rashid Khan scored 47 runs off 51 balls, smashing two fours and two sixes.
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