Nepal Tri-Series 2022 | NEP vs PNG | Final: All-round efforts from Dipendra Singh helps Nepal lift the trophy

The final showdown of the Nepal Tri-Series 2022 between Nepal and Papua New Guinea saw the hosts gather a convincing 50-run victory and lift the trophy.

Nepal headed to the game with an undefeated streak in the series and maintained that in the final, riding on the back of Dipendra Singh's all-round performance.  

Nepal's openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh were off to a steady start. Then, as the nerves tended to ease, they cut loose but lost wickets while doing so. With the onus now on Dipendra Singh, he lived up to the responsibility and batted all the way, scoring an unbeaten 54-run knock.

Notwithstanding the hiccups Nepal faced in the middle overs after being reduced to 82/5 at one stage, Dipendra with Aadil Ansari and Karan KC revived the innings. While Nepal, initially, seemed to just touch the 150-run mark, Karan's acceleration in the slog overs took them to 168.

Papua New Guinea struggled to give a fight as their batters fell like ninepins in the run-chase. Dipendra and Karan carried on with their magnificent show, this time with the ball, and were too hot to handle for the opposition, claiming three and four wickets, respectively.

Sese Bahu showed courage and filled the Papua New Guinea camp with belief. However, his 59-run knock proved to be too little in the end, with no other batter supporting the cause.

Mystery-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane did the remaining job as Papua New Guinea were all-out for 118 runs, losing the trophy to Nepal by a whopping 50-run margin.

Brief scores:

Nepal - 168/8

Dipendra Singh 54 (38) Karan KC 33 (12)

Semo Kamea 28/3

Papua New Guinea - 118/10

Sese Bau 59 (38) Charles Amini 15 (14)

Dipendra Singh 18/4

Nepal won the match by 50 runs