KATHMANDU: Nepal clinched another victory in the ongoing SMS Friendship Cup in India by defeating Baroda with a margin of 27 runs on Tuesday.
This marks Nepal’s second consecutive win in the tournament.
Baroda, aiming for a target of 157 runs, managed to score 129 runs after losing all their wickets in 20 overs.
Bhanu Pania, representing Baroda, scored the highest with 36 runs, including three sixes, while Captain Vishnu Solanki contributed 25 runs with two fours in 32 balls.
Baba Khan scored 27 runs with two boundaries and two sixes in 18 balls.
At one point, Baroda, struggling at 22-5, was steered by Bhanu and Vishnu, who shared a partnership of 53 runs for the sixth wicket.
Karan KC took 3 wickets, conceding 24 runs in 4 overs, while Sompal Kami claimed 2 wickets, giving away 20 runs in 4 overs.
Abinash Bohara took 2, Gulshan Jha and Dipendra Singh Airee grabbed 1 wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal, batting first, scored 156 runs, losing 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Kushal Malla top-scored for Nepal with 40 runs, including 3 fours and 2 sixes, off 25 balls.
Sandeep Jora contributed 29 runs with two fours and a six off 16 balls.
At one point, Nepal was at 82-5 in 12.5 overs when Sandeep and Kushal shared a partnership of 47 runs, leading to a modest total.
Opener Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel were dismissed for 9 runs each.
Anil Kumar Shah hit 25 runs with 2 fours and 1 six in 27 balls, while Captain Rohit Paudel scored 18 runs in 13 balls, and Gulshan Jha was out for 13 runs.
For Baroda, Baba Khan took 2 wickets, Mohit Mongia and Parikshit Patadar grabbed 1 wicket each.
Nepal had previously defeated Gujarat by 8 wickets in their first match. Gujarat had defeated Baroda by 5 wickets.
Nepal will play against Gujarat on Wednesday and Baroda on Friday.
The final will be held on Sunday.
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