Nepal lost to Pakistan by one run

Kathmandu, 23 Aug: Nepal has lost to Pakistan Shaheens by one run in the ongoing Top End T20 series in Australia.

Nepal fell short in the final over in a must-win match to reach the semifinals. With this defeat, Nepal has been eliminated from the 11-team tournament. 

Chasing a moderate target of 145 runs for victory in a thrilling match played at the Marara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Friday, Nepal was bundled out for 143 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. 

Captain Rohit Poudel scored the highest score of 52 runs for Nepal. He completed his half-century in 44 balls with the help of 6 fours and a six. Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airi scored 41, Ashif Sheikh 27 and Lokesh Bam scored 10 runs. In bowling, Pakistan’s Mohammad Wasim and Faisal Akram took two wickets each and Mohammad Salman took one wicket. 

Earlier, Pakistan, who had won the toss and elected to bat first, scored 144 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Irfan Khan top-scored for Pakistan with 42 runs while Abdul Samad top-scored with 26 runs. Mohammad Wasim scored 23 runs, Yasir Khan scored 18 runs and Mehran Mumtaz added 10 runs.

For Nepal, Sompal Kami took three wickets, Dipendra Singh Airi and Nandan Yadav took two wickets each, and Kushal Bhurtel took one wicket. Sandeep Lamichhane was wicketless after giving away 28 runs in four overs for Nepal. 

Nepal had previously lost three and won two of their five matches. Nepal lost to Northern Territory Strike by 42 runs in the first match, Bangladesh ‘A’ by 32 runs in the second match, and Melbourne Stars by 31 runs in the third match.

Similarly, Nepal defeated Hobart Hurricanes Academy by 66 runs in the fourth match and Melbourne Renegades Academy by 33 runs in the fifth match. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the 11 teams in the Top End T20 Series 2025:

1. Nepal (National team)

2. Pakistan Shaheens (A team)

3. Bangladesh A (A team)

4. Chicago Kingsmen (Invitation team)

5. Northern Territory Strike (Host, domestic team)

6. Australian Capital Territory (Domestic team)

7. Adelaide Strikers Academy (Academy team)

8. Hobart Hurricanes Academy (Academy team)

9. Melbourne Renegades Academy (Academy team)

10. Melbourne Stars Academy (Academy team)

11. Perth Scorchers Academy (Academy team)