Nepal suffered yet another big defeat in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup for the Blind losing to England by 90 runs in their seventh match at the Karnataka State Cricket Association grounds, India on Tuesday.

England, electing to bat first, rode on a century from Luke Sugg to post a mammoth 233-5 in 20 overs before Nepal could only muster 143-7 in their 20. It was the second highest total that Nepal conceded against any opponent in the tournament, while the defeat was also the second biggest in terms of run-margin. 

Nepal had lost to Sri Lanka by 131 runs in their sixth match after they were hammered for 274-2 by the Lankans. Nepal, whose only victory in the tournament so far have come against South Africans, will meet India in Guntur on Wednesday before wrapping up the campaign with the match against New Zealand in Bangalore on Thursday. 

Nepal didn’t have best of the starts in chase of a big target as they lost openers Lok Bahadur Thapa (two) and Jeevan Gurung (zero) along with Ramesh Baniya (four) to be 22-3. Skipper Kritan Shrestha Duwal tried to hold the innings but the scores soon read 59-5. Nepal lost their captain and new-man Sunil Rana Magar (seven) soon. 

Duwal made 27 off 19 with two boundaries. Sunil Subedi Chhetri and Sunil Thapa Magar then brought respectability to the total adding 77 runs for the sixth wicket. Chhetri top scored with a 44-ball 42 hitting three boundaries, while Thapa Magar contributed 32 off 34 with two hits to the fence. Sugg and Justing Hollingsworth picked up two wickets each for England. 

Earlier, England were reduced to 60-3 but Sugg staged a remarkable comeback combining with Peter Blueitt for a 162-run stand for the fourth wicket. Sugg hit exactly 100 off 62 with eight boundaries. Blueitt made 60 from 43 deliveries that included two fours. 

Padam Bahadur Badella was the most successful man in the field picking up two wickets and effecting one run out. Nepal are the only non-Test playing nation to compete in the tournament.

Summary

England 233-5 in 20 overs (L Sugg 100, P Blueitt 60; P Badela 2-42, ST Magar 1-17) beat Nepal 143-7 in 20 overs (SS Chhetri 42, ST Magar 30; L Sugg 2-28, J Hollingsworth 2-15) by 90 runs