Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal A registered its first-ever victory by defeating Canada XI by two wickets in the second match of the three-match series at the Mulpani International Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Batting first, Canada XI scored 240 runs losing all wickets in 49.5 overs. Nepal A chased down the target, scoring 241 runs losing eight wickets with five balls to spare.
The openers provided a strong foundation for Canada XI, adding 64 runs in 11.2 overs. Aaron Johnson scored 36 from 38 balls, while Srimatha Wijeyeratne scored 41 runs off 57 balls. Although Nicholas Kortin (7) and Harsh Thaker (8) fell cheaply, Navneet Dhaliwal scored 46 off 60, and Shareyas Movva scored 68 runs from 82 balls to take Canada XI to a respectable total. Other batters failed to reach double digits.
Shahab Alam took three wickets, Rashid Khan and Sher Malla had two wickets each to their names, and Sagar Dhakal and Basir Ahamad claimed a wicket each for Nepal A.
Nepal A made a poor start in the chase as opener Mayan Yadav was out for a duck. Although Sher Malla (7) also fell cheaply, Captain Sandeep Jora and Arjun Kumal rescued Nepal A’s innings. Kumal scored 40 off 64, while Jora hit a 74-ball 66. Basir Ahamad and Rashid Khan (47) batted sensibly after Kiran Thagunna fell, scoring just 13 runs. Basir remained unbeaten on 52 runs.
Ammor Khalid, Shahid Ahmadzai, and Nihil Dutta each took two wickets for Canada XI, while Saad Bin Zafar and Harsh Thaker claimed one wicket each.
The final match of the bilateral series will be played on Thursday.
