PNG, which lost its first two matches against Afghanistan and Canada, put up 137/8 and restricted Nepal to 102/8 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium to notch its first victory in the tournament.[break]
Nepal won the toss and elected to field first. Chandra Saud provided an early breakthrough claiming the wicket of Tony Ura in the fourth ball of the innings. When captain Paras Khadka took the wicket of Asad Vala, PNG was reeling at 16/2 in 3.5 overs.
Geraint Jones (32 runs) and Mahura Dai (12 runs) put up a 30-run partnership for the third wicket. Chris Amini anchored the PNG innings remaining unbeaten with an invaluable 38 runs. Jack Vare chipped in with 19 runs. Nepali bowlers gave away 15 runs in extras.
Photo courtesy: ICC
Shakti Gauchan, who had taken a hat-trick against Denmark, and Basanta Regmi took two wickets each. Chandra Saud, Paras Khadka and Mehboob Alam shared a wicket each.
In reply, Nepali batsmen failed to build partnerships. Paresh Lohani returned to the pavilion scoring just three runs. Though Pradeep Airee and Sharad Vesawkar got off to a good start, they could not translate it into big scores. Airee scored 13 runs while Vesawkar added 14 runs.
Paras Khadka scored six runs while Gyanendra Malla added eight runs.
Prithu Baskota batting for Nepal. (Courtesy: ICC)
Prithu Baskota remained unbeaten on 36 runs that included a four and a six, but the wickets kept falling at the other end.
Amini was the pick of the PNG bowlers as he claimed two wickets. He was adjudged the man-of-the-match.
Nepal had defeated Hong Kong and Denmark in its first two matches.
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