The Papua New Guinea Barramundis have lost to Nepal at the World Twenty20 qualifier after a match winning innings from Binod Bhandari.

Papua New Guinea won the toss and chose to bat first. With Asad Vala and Kila Pala both out cheaply, they were reliant first on Tony Ura, with 22, before Geraint Jones scored 55 to give the innings a solid foundation.

Mahuru Dai hit a quickfire 36 from 22 balls towards the end of the innings to take PNG to a total of 140-6 from their 20 overs. Paras Khadka was the pick of the Nepali bowlers with 3-22.

Nepal scored slowly to start their run chase, and had only scored 55, for the loss of one wicket, at the halfway stage. Opener Subash Khakurel was out in the 11th over having scored 38, bringing Paras Khadka to the crease.

Gyanendra Malla fell in the 13th over, at which point Binod Bhandari strolled out to the middle. Nepal usually rely on Khadka to do their quick run scoring, but Bhandari obviously decided to give him the day off today. He smashed 51 from just 23 balls, including six huge sixes, to give Nepal the seven wicket win with 10 balls to spare.

Nepal will be back in action tomorrow in a top of the table clash against the Netherlands. Papua New Guinea will have a day off before playing Scotland on Thursday.