Nepal suffered its third consecutive defeat in the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Australia, losing to Melbourne Stars Academy by 31 runs on Monday.
Chasing a target of 176 set by Melbourne Stars Academy, Nepal managed only 144 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
Opener Aasif Sheikh scored a valiant half-century, making 53 runs off 49 balls, including 3 fours and 1 six, but it was not enough for a win. Captain Rohit Paudel contributed 33 runs, while Kushal Bhurtel added 25 runs.
The opening pair of Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh gave Nepal a good start with a 30-run partnership. Aggressive batsman Bhurtel scored 25 runs off 13 balls, hitting 4 fours before being dismissed in the fourth over. Immediately after, Bhim Sharki was out for just 1 run, leaving Nepal at 32-2 in the fourth over.
Aasif Sheikh and captain Rohit Paudel then added 87 runs for the third wicket, stabilizing Nepal’s innings, though it was insufficient to reach the target.
Nepal had previously lost their first match against NT Strike and the second against Bangladesh A. Nepal will next face Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, and Pakistan Shaheens in the tournament.
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