Lokesh's century did not save Nepal

While his style is Twenty-20. Lokesh scored a century against Ireland 'A' by showing this style of performance at the Trivi Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday. His happiness in the century was also typical. After completing his century by a narrow two runs, he left the bat and ran. Chovar ran towards the end and scored a century in front of the crowd.

However, his face was not revealed when he appeared before the media after the game. Although he scored a decent century, Nepal 'A' failed in the last 4 overs. Nepal lost to Ireland Wolves by 21 runs. The smile on Lokesh's face was missing because he could not win his team even after approaching the huge target of 223 runs.

After Lokesh's brilliant century, Nepal 'A' was bowled out for 201 runs in 19.3 overs after losing the last 7 wickets by 12 runs. Lokesh completed his century in 52 balls. He played 56 balls and scored 106 runs with 9 fours and 8 sixes. He was well supported by Arif Shaikh. Arif scored 49 runs off 46 balls with 1 four and 5 sixes.

These two shared 121 runs in the fourth wicket playing 46 balls. After skipper Vinod Bhandari was dismissed for 16 off 14 balls, Dev Khanal for zero, Arjun Gharti for 3 runs, Lokesh and Arif were frozen. After Lokesh got out in the fifth ball of the 16th over, Nepal managed to score only 12 runs in 22 balls. Matthew Humphreys dismissed Arif and Kiran Thagunna for 2 runs in the 18th over. In the next over, Fionn Hand ducked Rashid Khan on the first ball and dismissed Kamalsingh Airy for a wicket.

In the last over, Mathew Foster dismissed Basir Ahmed for 3 and Hemant Dhami for 0 and Ireland 'A' won. Humphreys and Hand took 3 wickets each for Ireland.

Earlier, after Nepal 'A' won the toss, Ireland 'A' came to bat and scored 222 runs after losing 5 wickets in 20 overs. Opener Peter Moore top scored with 49 runs. He hit 4 fours and 3 sixes in 32 balls. After the other opener, Ross Edair, was dismissed by Kamalsingh Airey for just 2 runs, Moore and Cade Carmichael put on a partnership of 88 runs off 58 balls for the second wicket.

Moore, who has played Tests for Zimbabwe and Ireland, was bowled by Arif Shaikh 1 run before making his half-century. Kermichael scored 38 runs off 29 balls with 4 fours and 1 six. Then Stephen Dahney and captain Neil Rock put on a partnership of 51 runs.

Dahni hit 4 fours and 2 sixes in 16 balls. Rock scored 38 runs off 23 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes. Gareth Delaney remained unbeaten on 30 and Gavin Hoy on 18. Delaney hit Sagar Dhakal for consecutive sixes in the last 3 balls of the innings and hit 2 fours in 14 balls. Hoi hit 2 sixes off 6 balls.

Nepal 'A' scored 73 runs in the last 5 overs. Kamal, who returned to the field after a long time, took 3 wickets. He spent 39 runs. Sagar and Arif took 1 wicket each. Sagar, who spent 23 runs in the last over, gave only 11 runs in his first 3 overs.

Ireland 'A' was defeated in the first two Twenty20 matches against the Nepalese national team. Nepal 'A' will play two more Twenty20 and three ODI matches against Ireland 'A'.