Gyanendra Malla led from the front to steer Nepal to a comprehensive 83-run win over Rajwada Cricket Team in Greater Noida, India, on Tuesday.

The victory meant Nepal avenged their 47-run loss against the same team on Sunday when Malla had also struck a magnificent century. The friendly games are part of Nepal preparations for the ICC World Cricket League Championship (WCLC) matches against Kenya on home soil on March 11 and 13.

Leading the Nepal team in the absence of Paras Khadka, stand-in captain Mall once again batted superbly but fell five runs short of his second successive century against the opponents. Regular Nepal skipper Khadka is recuperating after undergoing surgery to the “recurrent appendicitis with intestinal obstruction” last week in Kathmandu.

Malla’s knock was pivotal in Nepal’s competitive total of 247-7 in 50 overs. The hosts in reply were bundled out for 164 runs in 37.3 overs. Malla and Sunil Dhamala set the foundation for the total with a 93-run partnership for the opening wicket after put into bat first. Malla struck eight boundaries and a six in his 115-ball knock, while Dhamala made 44 off 72 deliveries with five hits to the fence. Memboob Alam also came up with a 30-run cameo to boost the Nepali total, the allrounder clobbering two sixes and as many fours in his 22-ball stay. Aarif Sheikh remained unbeaten on 24. Madhur Khatri and Sushil Khatri took two wickets each for Rajwada.

In reply, Rajwada fell to 63-5 by the 15th over and were only salvaged a fighting total thanks to a middle order batsmen. Madhur Khatri top scored for Rajwada with 42, while Ashok Singh 25-ball 33. Sompal Kami, Sagar Pun and Sandeep Lamichhane picked up two wickets each, while Avinash Karn and Karan KC grabbed one apiece for Nepal.

Nepal are currently in sixth place of the eight-team WCLC with six points from eight matches. Top four teams after the home and away round robin league will automatically secure spots in next year’s World Cup Qualifiers. Netherlands lead the standings with 16 points from 10 games. Papua New Guinea are second with 12 points. Hong Kong (11), Scotland (11), Kenya (eight) are next in the order. Only Namibia (two) and United Arab Emirates (two) are behind Nepal. Nepal will play Hong Kong and the UAE the Kenya matches as they need to win all their remaining matches to have any realistic chance of reaching the Qualifiers.