Singh and Kirton continue their good run of form

Pargat Singh's excellent century against Hong Kong and Nicholas Kirton's half-century in his only match on the previous tour continued their good form with a key partnership after both openers were dismissed.

Resuming on a tricky 35/2 after six overs, the duo used their feet brilliantly against spin, whether to turn the strike or find the boundary. Singh, in particular, showed his class with several lofted drives to the extra-cover boundary.

However, against the run of play, Singh came down the track to Rohit Paudel's first over off-spin. He mistimed a straight lofted drive to long-off. That ended an important partnership of 79 off just 82 deliveries.