Batters performed an average performance as Nepal defeated host Kenya by five wickets in the first T20I match at the Bilateral Series at Gymkhana Club Ground, Kenya on Thursday.
Nepal achieved the victory target of 131 runs set by host Kenya in the 19.2 overs losing five wickets.
Nepal, however, made a poor start by losing opening batter Pawan Sarraf (1) cheaply. Sarraf holed out to Sachin Bhudia after facing six balls.
All-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee scored the highest 33 runs for the winning side. He smashed two sixes and one boundary off 24 balls he faced.
Aarif Sheikh hit three boundaries and one six to contribute with 24 runs off 15 balls. Gyanendra Malla, who made a comeback to the national team, scored 23 runs off 30 balls that included three boundaries.
Similarly, opener Aasif Sheikh added 19 runs off 27 balls, Rohit Paudel garnered 13 runs off 14 balls and Aadil Ansari remained not out with two runs in Nepal’s winning start.
Lucas Oluoch and Vraj Patel claimed two wickets apiece whereas Nehemiah Odhiambo took one wicket for the home team. The second T20I match will be played on Friday.
Man of the match Sompal Kami claimed three wickets and Skipper Sandeep Lamichhane grabbed two wickets to pack up Kenya for the medium score. Aadil Ansari and Dipendra Singh Airee contributed one wicket apiece for Nepal.
Put into bat first, host Kenya scored 130 runs with the loss of eight wickets in the allocated 20 overs match.
Irfan Karim scored the highest 34 runs off 44 balls for the hosts. Lucas Oluoch hit one maximum and five fences to collect 31 runs off 13 balls.
Nelson Odhiambo added 19 runs and Sachin Bhudia scored 17 runs for Kenya.
