Nepal lose to Netherlands in World Cup T20 practice match

Nepal Cricket Team (File Photo)

Nepal lost to the Netherlands by 44 runs in its first T20 practice match at Dubai, ahead of the World Cup T20 to be played in Bangladesh.

After being asked to bat first, Netherlands posted 195 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Ben Cooper top scored with 65 runs. Chasing a massive total of 195 runs, Nepal only managed 151 runs losing 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Nepal vice-captain Gyanendra Malla and middle-order batsman Binod Bhandari scored 39 runs each, while Skipper Paras Khadka made 31.

Nepal national cricket team is in Dubai to prepare for its maiden T20 World Cup. The team will also play a warm-up match against the United Arab Emirates before leaving for Bangladesh on March 9 to compete in the World T20 scheduled to take place between March 16 and April 6.

The practice match was arranged by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Nepal is pitted against Hong Kong, host Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the group stage of World Cup T20.