Nepal Stumbles to Embarrassing Defeat Against PNG in Hong Kong Men’s T20 Final

Nepal’s hopes in the Hong Kong Men’s T20 Series took a bitter turn as they faced an embarrassing 85-run defeat against Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the final showdown on Wednesday.

Batting first, PNG showed resilience and determination, posting a formidable total of 171 runs for the loss of eight wickets despite a shaky start. The early loss of wickets didn’t deter PNG, with opener Tony Ura leading the charge with a blistering 61 off just 37 balls. Supported by a spirited lower-order performance, PNG managed to put up a challenging target.

In response, Nepal’s batting lineup faltered under the pressure of the chase. Losing wickets at regular intervals, Nepal could only muster a meager 85 runs in 16.3 overs, marking it as one of Nepal’s lowest T20I scores.

Kabua Morea’s early strikes rattled Nepal’s top order, leaving them struggling from the outset. Sandeep Jora and Aarif Sheikh tried to stabilize the innings, but their efforts fell short against PNG’s disciplined bowling attack.

Papua New Guinea’s dominant performance was highlighted by their all-round excellence, with Kabua Morea, Semo Kamea, Chad Soper, and Sese Bau each claiming two wickets to dismantle Nepal’s batting lineup.

Tony Ura’s stellar performance earned him the accolades of both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, further cementing Papua New Guinea’s dominance in the tournament.

Nepal’s disappointing outing in the Hong Kong tour saw them winning only one match out of four, with heavy defeats against both Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea. Additionally, their league match was washed out by rain, adding to the woes of the Nepalese team.