Nepal Fights an Uphill Battle: Early struggles see three wickets tumble in powerplay

KATHMANDU: Nepal's foray into the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 commenced with a turbulent start as they lost three pivotal wickets in the initial powerplay phase.

The blow struck at 6.1 overs, with opener Kushal Bhurtel departing the field after a fleeting appearance, managing a mere 18 runs.

Shortly thereafter, the team faced another setback as Anil Shah fell prey to a meticulously executed catch, having faced only two deliveries. The adversity intensified with Dev Khanal's dismissal for a duck, his innings cut short after just five balls.

As the first powerplay drew to a close, Nepal tallied 66 runs on the board, but at the expense of three wickets. Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Malla now shoulder the responsibility of anchoring the innings, with respective scores of 34 and 12 runs.

The decision to bat first was dictated after Namibia won the toss, opting to take the field. Namibian bowlers BM Scholtz and JT Brassell emerged as formidable opponents, securing two and one wicket(s) respectively.

The contest unfolds amidst heightened anticipation at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, promising an enthralling spectacle for aficionados of the sport.