The Ireland Wolves struggled hard but succumbed to Nepal Men in the first T20 of the two-match series by 6 wickets.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first on a dry, low wicket, captain Neil Rock saw Ross Adair (4), Cade Carmichael (8) and Morgan Topping (0) fall early. Stephen Doheny (46) held up one end, while desperately seeking a partner to stick with him, but further wickets fell – mainly due to mistimed shots from a Wolves squad still adjusting to conditions.
Fionn Hand (11), Tom Mayes (16) and Liam McCarthy (16) gave the tail-end a boost, but the Wolves total of 121 from 20 overs was going to tricky to defend against an in-form Nepal side in home conditions.
Nepal’s openers got off to a flyer – striking 32 from the first 19 balls, before captain Rock switched to his leg-spinners and reaped immediate rewards. Gareth Delany (2-28) and Ben White (1-27) reduced Nepal from 32-0 to 37-3 inside 9 balls to put a few flutters through the home side’s fressing room.
However, just when the Wolves looked like they were getting back into the game, Kushal Bhurtel (37*) and Sundeep Jora (36) built what was eventually a game-winning partnership of 54 – and despite losing Jora – the Nepalese side cruised to the win with six wickets are 23 balls to spare.
The two sides meet again at the same venue tomorrow for the second of this two-game series.
MATCH SUMMARY
Nepal Men v Ireland Wolves, 1st T20, Kathmandu – 25 March 2024
Wolves 121 (20 overs; S Doheny 46; G Jha 2-13)
Nepal 122-4 (16.1 overs; K Bhurtel 37*; G Delany 2-28)
Nepal won by 6 wickets
