KATHMANDU, April 9: Nepal today made a winning start in the four-nation T20 series underway in Hong Kong defeating Qatar by massive eight wickets.
Batting first, Qatar scored 151 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the opening match at the Mission Road Ground, Mong Kok. Qatar's captain, Ikramullah Khan, top-scored with 54 runs, while Shahzaib Jamil contributed 31 runs. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman remained unbeaten on 20 runs, while Mohammed Irshad stayed not out on 18 runs.
Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient, will shine again
Nepali bowlers Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, and Lalit Rajbanshi took 1 wicket each. Nepal chased the target of 152 runs set by Qatar in 17 overs, losing 2 wickets.
Chasing a modest target of 152 runs, Nepal wrapped up the opening game at a loss of two wickets with three spare overs. For Nepal, Khushal Bhurtel scored the highest 38 runs for 19 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Captain Rohit Paudel contributed 37 runs, scoring them from 29 balls with two boundaries and one six. Aasif Sheikh contributed 33 runs, while Basir Ahamad made 30 runs. Nepal also received 16 extra runs.
Nepal will play their second match against Kuwait at the same stadium on Thursday. The tournament features Nepal, Qatar, Kuwait, and Hong Kong.