Middle order batter Rohit Paudel's record century went in vain for Nepal as the home team succumbed to a six-run defeat against visiting Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the first of the two-match One-Day International (ODI) series at the TU ground in Kirtipur on Friday.

Nepal were restricted to 286-8 in their chase of 293 runs despite Paudel's 126 runs, the highest individual score by a Nepali batter in the ODI or any other format of the game, in the closely fought battle. The home team's score was also their highest ODI total surpassing their previous record of 255-6 against UAE in Dubai in January 2019.

Put into bat first, PNG also amassed their highest ever ODI total at the expense of eight wickets and pulled off their first ODI win over well known foes in the five meetings. PNG also surpassed the previous record total of 264 runs against Hong Kong in 2014 in Townsville.

Nepal's captain Sandeep Lamichhane said that his side conceded some 30-40 extra runs.

"It was a good game for both sides and we conceded 30 to 40 extra runs. Whatever be the reason, the losing cause is not good. The pitch was good and they (PNG) batted really well with good partnership," said Lamichhane.

Nepal were off to a shaky start in their run chase and seemed like they were destined for a big defeat when they were restricted to 3-45 by the 10th over. Opener Anil Sah, who marked his comeback to the national fold after four years, was dismissed for six runs and ODI debutant Dev Khanal for a duck. The other opener Kushal Bhurtel scored 32 off 28 before he was bowled by Norman Vanua. He hit six fences.

Dipendra Singh Airee was the next batter to depart, scoring 15 off 17 that included three fences. But Rohit Paudel and Aarif Sheikh not only steadied the innings with a century partnership for the fifth wicket but also boosted the home team's hope for victory.

The duo shared a 104-run stand for the fifth wicket, which also turned out to be the highest run partnership for Nepal in ODI cricket before Sheikh was dismissed on 34 off 64. He hit two fences before he was caught and bowled by Asaad Vala in the 36th over.

"There were lots of positives from the game. The partnership between Rohit and Aarif was outstanding. I was hopeful of a century from Rohit from the way he played and he could have finished the match. But that did not happen. We were in the game until the last over," added captain Lamichhane.

Paudel, who also became the only second batter to score an ODI century after former captain Paras Khadka, smashed 126 off 107. He cracked seven boundaries and four sixes before he was caught by Charles Amini off Vanua at the mid wicket in the 46th over.

Paudel reached his maiden century facing 91 deliveries and also became the first batter for Nepal to score a fifth ODI half century. He also came on top of the list of highest ODI run scorers for Nepal with 588 runs moving ahead of former captain Gyanendra Malla at 480 runs. He reached the milestone from 16 innings.

Nepal's previous highest ODI total was against the United Arab Emirates in January 2019 when they scored 255-6 to secure a four-wicket victory in a tour match in Dubai.

Bhim Sharki contributed 18-ball 17 while Sompal Kami and Kamal Airee remained unbeaten on equal 18 runs. Nepal required 15 runs for victory in the last two overs but they managed five runs in the penultimate over and three runs in the last.

PNG bowler Vanua claimed the highest three runs in his 10-over spell conceding 62 runs. Charles Amini and captain Assad Vala pocketed two wickets each.

Batting first, PNG captain Assad Vala and Charles Amini scored half centuries each. Amini scored the highest with 77 runs in the innings facing 103 deliveries. He hit six boundaries and a maximum before he was bowled by Sompal Kami.

Vala played 55-ball 60 comprising 11 fences before being bowled by Dipendra Singh Airee. Norman Vanua was the other major contributor playing a quickfire knock of 28-ball 47. He hit four boundaries and three sixes before being caught by Dipendra off Kamal.

Opener Tony Ura and Riley Hekure were the other remarkable scorers contributing 38 off 47 and 40 off 31 respectively.

Nepal's Kamal, Sompal and Dipendra shared two wickets apiece while captain Sandeep Lamichhane and Pawan Sarraf picked one each. Sompal, however, became the most expensive bowler for Nepal conceding 81 runs in his nine over spell overtaking Lamichhane's record of conceding 65 runs against Oman in a single innings.

Nepal's coach Pubudu Dassanaayke said that it was a disappointing outcome.

"But I am happy with the way the boys played – especially with the century by Rohit and the century partnership between him and Aarif. They are on the way to getting maturity and we conceded 25-30 extra runs," he said.

The two sides will play the second ODI on Saturday at the same venue.