Lokesh 106 in vain as collective batting efforts help Ireland Wolves lead the three-match series

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Mar 29, 2024

Lokesh Bam scored an imperious century but ran out of support in a chase of 223 as the Ireland Wolves led the three-match Twenty20 series by 1-0 with a 21-run win on Friday at TU International Cricket Ground.

Electing to bowl first, Nepal ‘A’ conceded 222-5 in 20 overs, despite Kamal Singh Airee picking up a wicket in the very first over. Lokesh Bam’s power hitting took Nepal to 201 in 19.3 overs.

Peter Moor and Cade Carmichael added 88 off 58 balls to push Ireland’s score to 90-2 in the halfway stage after losing the first wicket with only 2 runs on the board.

None scored a half-century for the winning side, but all six batsmen, apart from Ross Adair (two), struck over 150. Moor top-scored with a 32-ball 49 consisting of three sixes and four boundaries. Govin Hoey’s unbeaten 6-ball 18 played an important role in helping the Ireland Wolves score 65 off the last four overs to bat out Nepal.

Kamal, who was returning from injury, returned the bowling figures of 3-39 in four overs. Hemant Dhami was the most expensive bowler, as he leaked 44 off his three overs.

Lokesh and Aarif Sheikh’s 121-run stand for the fourth wicket brought the equation back to 34 off the last four overs, but Nepal lost six wickets for the next 12 runs. Lokesh slammed nine fours and eight sixes for his 56-ball 106.

Aarif took 26 balls for his 49 runs, which included a four and five maximums. Binod Bhandari’s 16 off 14 balls was only the other score in double digits for the home team.

Matthew Humphreys (3-26) and Fionn Hand (3-35) picked up three wickets apiece for the winning side.