HONG KONG: Despite captain Sandeep Jora’s brilliant half-century, Nepal suffered a 19-run defeat against Afghanistan in the opening match of the Hong Kong International Sixes cricket tournament.

In the game held on Friday at Mission Road Ground, Afghanistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, set a target of 113 runs, losing all their wickets.

In response, Nepal managed only 95 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. Nepal’s opener Sandeep played aggressively, scoring 53 runs off 14 balls, including 1 four and 8 sixes, before retiring hurt.

Fellow opener Lokesh Bam scored 10 runs off 10 balls with 1 six. Rashid Khan remained unbeaten at 11, while Mohammad Adil Ansari and Rupesh Singh added 11 and 1 runs respectively.

For Afghanistan, Farmanullah and Ijaz Ahmad each took one wicket. Earlier, Afghanistan’s opener Karim Janat scored 35 runs off 10 balls, hitting 2 fours and 4 sixes.

Farmanullah played an unbeaten 30-run innings off 9 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes. Captain Gulbadin Naib contributed 22 runs and Sediqullah Pacha added 13 runs.

Nepal’s bowler Rashid Khan performed excellently, taking 4 wickets for 27 runs in 2 overs. Lokesh Bam claimed 1 wicket.