DARWIN: Nepal slumped to its third consecutive defeat in the ongoing Top End T20 Series in Australia, losing to Melbourne Stars by 31 runs on Monday.
Chasing a target of 176 runs, Nepal managed to score only 144 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Opener Aasif Sheikh top-scored for Nepal with a fluent half-century, hitting 53 runs off 49 balls with three fours and a six. Captain Rohit Paudel added 33 runs, while Kushal Bhurtel contributed 25.
Nepal got off to a steady start with openers Bhurtel and Sheikh putting up a 30-run stand. Bhurtel’s aggressive 25 from 13 balls, featuring four boundaries, gave Nepal early momentum before he was dismissed in the fourth over. Soon after, Bhim Sharki fell cheaply for just 1, leaving Nepal at 32-2.
Aasif and skipper Rohit then steadied the innings with an 87-run partnership for the third wicket. However, their dismissals in quick succession derailed Nepal’s chase. Rohit departed in the 16th over for 33 (31 balls, 3 fours), followed shortly by Aasif. The middle and lower order then collapsed, with Kushal Malla (11) and Dipendra Singh Airee (1) failing to build momentum.
For Melbourne Stars, Austin Anlezark and Doug Warren claimed two wickets apiece.
Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss, Melbourne Stars posted 175/7 in 20 overs. Blake MacDonald led the innings with a superb 74, while Thomas Rogers added 65. The pair shared a 120-run stand for the second wicket after captain Campbell Kellaway was dismissed early for 2.
Nepal’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Sandeep Lamichhane, who picked up three wickets. Sompal Kami and Shahab Alam chipped in with one wicket each, while two batsmen were run out.
Nepal had previously lost to NT Strike in the opener and Bangladesh A in the second match. The team will next face Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, and Pakistan Shaheens in its remaining fixtures.
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