Nepal lost to Oman by three wickets on Saturday in a 50-over tour match in Abu Dhabi as they prepared for the ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) matches against Papua New Guinea (PNG) scheduled for November 16 and 18.

Put to bat first, Nepal were 184 all out in 49.3 overs where only Gyanendra Malla and skipper Paras Khadka managed to trouble the Oman bowlers. Oman were cruising at 135-3 until Shakti Gauchan brought Nepal back in the game. However, tail-enders hung on as Oman reached 187-7 with 11 balls to spare.

After Bikram Sob removed opener Aqib Ilyas (four), Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawar Ali (23) anchored Oman chase with a 47-run stand. Mehboob Alam dismissed both batsmen in a space of 23 runs. Maqsood made a run-a-ball 52 with eight boundaries. Jatinder Singh and Adnan Ilyas (23) offered resistance with a 42-run partnership as Oman approached 150-run mark before Gauchan dismissed the former for a brief collapse.

Sagar Pun soon removed Singh for 41, while Gauchan picked up two more wickets as Oman were 155-7. But Ajay Lalcheta (20) and Mohammad Nadeem (10) hung on with a 32-run unbeaten stand sailing the team home. Gauchan took 3-19 from 10 overs.

Earlier, Nepal were reeling at 26-3 before Khadka and Malla anchored the innings with a 77-run partnership. Khadka made some quick runs before slowing down and hit seven fours on his way to make 49 off 75 balls. His departure meant Nepal’s struggle began.

Malla completed his half century but struggled to score freely. He made 71 off 113 with seven fours. None of the remaining Nepali batsmen managed to reach double figures. Bilal Khan took 4-26, while Khawar Ali snapped 3-34 from nine.

Nepal will now play PNG in their second round fixtures of the WCLC with Abu Dhabi hosting both the games. Nepal are currently second from the bottom in eight-team WCLC from where top six teams after seven rounds qualify for the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. PNG are at the bottom, while Kenya lead the table.