Nepal has begun their ICC World Cup Qualifiers campaign with 116 runs defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe, on Sunday.

Hosts Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, before making a total of 380-6 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, Nepal managed to score just 264 runs losing eight wickets in 50 overs.

Two batsmen including Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza smashed centuries for Zimbabwe, in the match where Nepali bowlers displayed poor performance. Taylor hit 91-ball 100 that included one six and seven fours while top scorer Raza smashed 123 runs off 66 balls.

Earlier, Cephas Zhuwao and Solomon Mire gave strong start to the innings making 41 and 52 runs respectively. Likewise, Craig Ervine contributed 50-ball 34 whereas Hamilton Masakadza scored 17 runs facing 23 deliveries.

Sompal kami and Basant Regmi took two wickets each for Nepal while Lalit Rajbanshi and Sandeep Lamichhane claimed one each.Nepal who had to chase a huge target made a poor start to the innings with their opening duo Gyanendra Malla and Dilip Nath creating nine runs partnership for the first wicket. Nath was bowled out for two runs while Vice-captain Malla contributed 59-ball 32. Captain Paras Khadka who came to bat at third number tried to lay a foundation with smashing 40 runs facing 37 deliveries while Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 23 runs.