Lokesh Bam scored a magnificent century that could not stop Nepal-A from losing their first T20 against Ireland Wolves by 21 runs at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday.

Chasing a big target of 223 runs, opener Bam scored 106 runs off 56 balls, smashing nine fours and eight sixes but it could not become enough after the hosts’ middle and lower order could not cope with the Irish pacers.

Although Bam and skipper Binod Bhandari added 43 runs for the opening stand to give Nepal-A a fine start, the Wolves checked the run flow taking three quick wickets of Binod Bhandari (16), Dev Khanal (0) and Arjun Gharti (8).

But Bam and Sheikh made the tourists sweat with their formidable batting display, putting on a 121-run stand for the fourth wicket to take Nepal-A closer to the target.

Shiekh missed out on his fifty by one run. He hit one boundary and five maximums in his knock of 26-ball 49.

However, once the Wolves were able to dismiss Bam and Sheikh, Nepal-A collapsed dramatically. Fionn Hand finally ended Bam’s resistance in the 15.6 overs and Matthew Humphreys had Sheikh caught by Thomas Mayes in the 17.2 overs.

Nepal needed only 29 runs from the last 18 balls but Kiran Thagunna (2), Rashid Khan (0), Kamal Airee (0), Basir Ahmad (3) and Hemant Dhami (0) all returned with their tails between their legs as the home side were humiliatingly bowled out for 201 runs in 19.3 overs.

Hand and Humphreys took three wickets each for the Wolves. Matthew Foster took two, while Mayes and Gavin Hoey took one wicket apiece.

Earlier, the Wolves scored 222-5 from their 20 overs after being invited to bat first.

Nepal-A got the breakthrough early when Airee struck in the second ball of the first over to dispatch Ross Adair for two.

But Peter Moor and Cade Carmichael shared a 88-run stand for the second wicket to lay the foundation for a big total. Moor made 49 runs off 32 balls and Carmichael played 29-ball 38.

After Sheikh bowled Moor and Sagar Dhakal trapped Carmichael leg in front, Stephen Dohney (34 off 16 balls) and skipper Neik Rock (38 off 23 balls) added 51 runs for the fourth wicket.

Gareth Delany then hammered six straight sixes in his aggressive 14-ball 30 and Hoey smashed two sixes in this 6-ball 18.

Aerie was the pick of Nepal-A bowlers, taking 3-39. Dhakal and Sheikh also pocketed a wicket each.

The second T20 takes place on Saturday. The three-match T20 series was rescheduled after rain washed out their first T20 on Friday. The third T20 will be played on Monday.

The Wolves, who played two T20 matches against senior men’s cricket team earlier this week, will also play three ODIs with Nepal-A next week.

The senior team, who are preparing for the upcoming ACC Men’s T20 Premier Cup and T20 World Cup, are currently on India tour where they will play against state teams of Gujarat and Baroda in Vapi in the SMS Friendship Cup, starting Sunday.

Scorecard

First T20

TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur

TOSS: Nepal-A, field first.

Ireland Wolves 222-5 (20/20 overs)

Peter Moor 49 (32), Neil Rock 38 (23), Cade Carmichael 38 (29); Kamal Airee 4-0-39-3

Nepal-A 201-10 (19.3/20 overs)

Lokesh Bam 106 (56), Aarif Sheikh 49 (26); Matthew Humphreys 3-0-26-3, Fionn Hand 4-0-35-3

Ireland Wolves win by 21 runs.

Player of the match: Matthew Humphreys

Second T20 is scheduled for Saturday.