PNG Barramundis beat Nepal by two wickets

The Papua New Guinea Barramundis got off to a winning start in the first match of round 2 of the World Cricket League Championship.

They beat Nepal by two wickets yesterday in a thriller at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.

Nepal batted first and were one wicket down after the first ball when opener Anil Mandal was dismissed for a duck by Norman Vanua.

Nepal continued to lose wickets cheaply and at one stage were 4-86 after 22 overs.

But Subash Khakurel (63) and Sharad Vesawkar (78) put up a fight and steadied the Nepal innings.

Nepal finished at 8/232 after 50 overs bowled.

Assad Vala was the best of the Barras bowlers, taking 3/32.

The Barras run chase got off to a bad start as they found themselves 3/73 after 15 overs.

But Vala (87) and Charles Amini (35) got the Barras back on track.

With two wickets in hand and three balls remaining, it was left to tail-enders John Reva and Norman Vanua who didn’t disappoint, hitting the winning runs to bring home the win.