Nepal suffered a 24-run defeat to Canada in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 on Saturday, missing the chance to strengthen their position in the race to finish sixth.
Canada posted 256 before bowling Nepal out for 232 in 46 overs at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Canada made a strong start through Yuvraj Samra and Aaron Johnson, who put on 72 runs for the opening wicket. Lalit Rajbanshi broke the partnership by bowling Johnson.
Samit Gohel scored 17 before Samra joined Harsh Thaker for an 88-run stand for the third wicket. Thaker contributed 34, while Samra went on to score 105 off 117 balls, hitting 11 fours and four sixes.
Samra was caught by Karan KC off Dipendra Singh Airee, having scored his maiden one-day international century. Canada captain Hamza Tariq added 34, but Nepal’s bowlers fought back in the latter stages, taking eight wickets for 65 runs.
Rajbanshi was Nepal’s leading bowler with four wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs. Captain Sandeep Lamichhane took three wickets, bringing his tally in the current League 2 cycle to 50. Airee claimed two wickets and Rohit Paudel one.
Chasing 257, Nepal struggled to build partnerships. Arjun Kumal top-scored with 87, recording his maiden ODI half-century, but lacked sufficient support from the other batters. Openers Aasif Sheikh and Ishan Pandey scored 20 and 21 respectively, while Paudel made 18 and Airee 27.
Gulshan Jha scored 21 before being dismissed, adding to Nepal’s pressure. Karan KC remained unbeaten on 17, but Nepal were eventually bowled out for 232.
For Canada, Sukhjinder Singh took three wickets, while Kaleem Sana and Shail Patel claimed two each.
The defeat leaves Nepal on 28 points from 35 matches, with one game remaining against Oman on Monday. Canada have completed their campaign with 29 points.
Nepal will look to end their campaign with a victory over Oman as they seek to improve their final position in the standings.