Nepal vs Zimbabwe A, 3rd Unofficial T20I: Review – Nepal brush aside Zimbabwe A to level series

After losing the first match, home-side Nepal came on top against Zimbabwe A at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on May 4 (Wednesday). With that victory, Nepal has managed to level the three-match series by a margin of 1-1.

Winning the toss, skipper Sandeep Lamichanne decided to have a bowl first. His decision was proven right as Zimbabwe opener Innocent Kaia and Kudzai Maunze got out cheaply. The other opener Tadiwanashe Marumani held the innings for his team for some time. However, he was scalped by the skipper Sandeep.

Batter Roy Kaia was exceptional for the visitors as he scored vital 49 runs for his team before he got run out. Skipper Tony Munyonga and wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande could not get going. However, a decent knock from Luke Jongwe ensured that the visitors cross 135-run mark. For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane (two wickets), Basir Ahamad (one wicket), and Sompal Kami (one wicket) were the successful bowlers.

Nepal chased down the target easily

Chasing just 137 to win, Nepal’s opening batters Kushal Bhurtel (34 off 26 balls) and the wicketkeeper-batter Aasif Sheikh (87 off 54 balls) went berserk as the Zimbabwe bowlers had no clue. The home side lost their wicket on 88 runs with Bhurtel getting scalped by Brandon Mavuta. Sheikh was then joined by Basir Ahamad (10 off 15 balls).

The duo took the home side total past the 100-run mark before Ahamad was scalped by Jongwe in the 15th over. However, Nepal did not stutter in their chase after that as they completed the run chase in 15.5 overs without losing any further wickets. Opener Aasif Sheikh was adjudged as the Player of the Match for his excellent knock with the bat.

For the visitors, Jongwe and Mavuta were the only successful bowlers as none of the other bowlers including Victor Nyauchi, Trevor Gwandu, and Brad Evans got any wickets. The visitors will take on Nepal in an unofficial One-Day series next.