Nepal national men’s cricket team hit a new low on Tuesday as they lost to hosts Canada by 103 runs in King City in a continuation of their poor run of form in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.
The Rhinos travelled to Canada following their three losses in the inaugural tri-series of the League 2 at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur earlier this year, and their dismal show—especially with the bat—continued when they were bundled out for 150 in 40.1 overs at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground.
It was their first ever loss against Canada in their one-day international history. Nepal had maintained a perfect record against the Canadians in their previous three meetings.
The loss against Canada—their fourth loss in five matches—is a far cry from their previous campaign when they won 11 out of 12 matches to retain their ODI status and qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.
Canada posted 253-5 from their 50 overs on the back of an unbeaten half-century from Nicholas Kirton (73 not out off 44).
The target was achievable but Nepal were never in the chase, with paceman Dilon Heyliger’s five-wicket haul proving the biggest nightmare for the Rhinos.
Opener Kushal Bhurtel’s poor form continued when Heyliger dismissed him cheaply for one.
Other top order batters Asif Sheikh (20 off 30) and captain Rohit Paudel (5 off 5) could not predict the incoming danger and fell to Heylger soon.
Bhim Sharki and big-hitter Dipendra Singh Airee also could not initiate any recovery and returned to the dugout without doing much.
Karan KC’s 27 off 24 was the highest score for the visitors.
Nepal were keeping things under control at 133-5 in the 37th over but conceded a century of runs in the death overs, allowing Canada to post a good target.