KATHMANDU - Nepal were bowled out for 157 in 46.5 overs against Namibia in Match 116 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht, on Tuesday.
Namibia, who won the toss and elected to field first, struck in the opening over through JJ Smit, who dismissed the in-form Kushal Bhurtel for two. Nepal never fully recovered from the early pressure and were kept quiet by Namibia's disciplined bowling attack.
Smit was the standout performer for Namibia, returning excellent figures of 6/27 in 9.5 overs. Jack Brassell and Bernard Scholtz also supported him well, taking two wickets each as Nepal failed to bat out their full 50 overs.
Captain Rohit Paudel top-scored for Nepal with 31 off 60 balls, while Dipendra Singh Airee made 30 off 51 deliveries. Aasif Sheikh scored 16, Gulshan Jha added 20, Sompal Kami made 15 and Karan KC contributed 18 lower down the order.
Nepal were reduced to 22/2 after losing Bhurtel and Ishan Pandey early. Aasif and Rohit tried to rebuild, but Namibia continued to strike at regular intervals. Dipendra and Rohit took Nepal close to 100, before Nepal slipped from 93/3 to 99/6.
Karan's late 18 helped Nepal cross 150, but Smit returned to clean up the lower order and complete his six-wicket haul.
Namibia need 158 runs to win the match. For Nepal, the defence will be crucial in their push to stay in the top-four race of League 2.
