Nepal defeats Papua New Guinea by three wickets

Nepal defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) by three wickets in the United Arab Emirates Triangular Series of the ICC World Cup League 2 on Friday.

Invited to bowl first, Nepal bowled out PNG to 179 runs in 49.2 overs at the Dubai International Stadium.

Chasing a low target, Nepal made a poor start, losing opener Kushal Bhurtel for a golden duck.

But opener Aasif Sheikh held his nerve scoring an unbeaten 86 runs.

The 21-year-old also shared a record 77-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Sandeep Lamichhane who remained unbeaten on 35 runs, the second-highest score of the team.

The player-of-the-match Sheikh smashed two boundaries and a six in his 130-ball knock.

Besides Sheikh and Lamichhane, Kushal Malla was the only Nepali batter to manage double-digit scores, gathering 23 runs off 26 balls. Malla was dismissed by Sese Bau in 31.2 overs.

Nepal will now play UAE in its last match of the tri-series on Monday.