By Sachit Subba • Cricket • Aug 18, 2025 15:29 PM • 115 views
Darwin, Australia — Nepal's national cricket team endured their third consecutive defeat in the ongoing Top End T20 Series, going down by 31 runs against Melbourne Stars Academy on Monday at the TIO Stadium in Darwin. Chasing a target of 176, Nepal managed to play out the full 20 overs but could only reach 144 for seven. This latest setback follows earlier losses by 42 runs to Northern Territory Strikers and by 32 runs to Bangladesh 'A'. Opener Aasif Sheikh anchored Nepal's innings with a composed 53 off 49 deliveries, striking three fours and a six. Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel added 33, while Kushal Bhurtel chipped in with 25. Together, Aasif and Paudel stitched a crucial 87-run stand for the third wicket, but the rest of the batting lineup faltered under mounting scoreboard pressure. Melbourne's bowlers shared the spoils, with Austin Enlezark and Doug Warren claiming two wickets apiece, while Aryan Sharma and Chris Howe picked up one each.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat, Melbourne Stars Academy posted a competitive 175 for seven in their allotted overs. Blake MacDonald top-scored with a fluent 74 off 47 balls, laced with seven boundaries and two sixes. Thomas Rogers provided strong support, crafting 65 off 46 deliveries with seven fours and a six. Their second-wicket stand of 120 proved decisive, laying the foundation for the victory.
For Nepal, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane returned figures of 3 wickets, while Sompal Kami and Shahab Alam chipped in with one apiece.
Nepal will now look to bounce back when they face Hobart Hurricanes Academy on Tuesday in their fourth outing of the tournament.
