Test

Aasif Sheikh raises his bat after scoring his maiden century against PNG on March 9, 2023. Photo: Bikash Shrestha Kathmandu, March 9 Nepal have beaten Papua New Guinea by 52 runs in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2  at TU cricket ground on Thursday. Put to bat first, Nepal started off positively with the openers, Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, putting up a 110-run opening partnership. Bhurtel held out to Hekure for 43, but Sheikh continued his fine form scoring a run-a-ball 110. The middle order did not contribute as much as Kushal Malla and Gyanendra Malla got out cheaply while captain Rohit Paudel did not capitalise on his start. Bhim Sarki also contributed with 44 runs from 38 balls with small partnerships with the tailenders and taking Nepal to 297, their highest score ever in an ODI. In reply, PNG made a good start with the openers putting up a 77-run stand. Once Kiplin Doriga got out, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for ...