Opening batsman Aasif Sheikh scored an unbeaten 87 as Nepal thrashed Zimbabwe ‘A’ by eight wickets in the third Twenty20 practice match to level the three-match series 1-1 on Wednesday.

Sheikh smashed 13 boundaries and one six in his player-of-the-match 88-run stand with his opening partner Kushal Bhurtel, who hit 34 runs off 24 balls, to lay the foundation for a comprehensive victory for Nepal, who had lost the first T20 match by six wickets. The second T20 was washed out by the rain on Monday.

Nepal won the toss and sent Zimbabwe ‘A’ to bat first at the TU cricket ground but the Zimbabweans could only post a paltry total of 137 at the loss of seven wickets.

Zimbabwe ‘A’ lost openers Innocent Kaia and Tadiwanashe Marumani in the powerplay after Sompal Kami had Kaia caught by Basir Ahamed for just 14 while Tadiwaneshe Marumani, the stand-out batsman and half-centurian of the first T20 match, was out for 27, caught by Kami off skipper Sandeep Lamichhane.

Roy Kaia came at number four and steadied in the innings, grounding 49 off 41 balls that included seven fours before he was run out in the 19.2 over that denied his first fifty of the tour.

Luke Jongwe was not out for 23, which included two fours while batters Kudzai Maunze (6), captain Tony Munyonga (2), Clive Madande (4), Brad Evans (2) could not help in Zimbabwe ‘A’ bid to clinch the series.

Lamichhane was the pick of Nepali bowling returning the match figures of 2-25.

The Rhinos comfortably chased the target losing only two wickets as Sheikh hit the winning four in the 15.5 over to save Nepal’s blushes at home. Dipendra Singh Airee was not out without a run.

In the run chase, Bhurtel smacked two fours and two sixes before he was bowled out by Brandon Mavuta in the 9.3 over.

Ahmed was out for 10 runs, caught by Maunze off Jongwe. Zimbabwe ‘A’ captain Munyonga, who had hammered a quickfire 50 in the first T20, was declared player-of-the-series.

Nepal and Zimbabwe ‘A’ will next play a three-match One-day series beginning Friday.