KATHMANDU, Dec 6: National cricket team captain Gyanendra Malla inspired Nepal to a thumping win of 141-run against T20I debutants Bhutan during the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) group stage match being held at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday. Bhutan was limited to 95 runs in 20 overs for the loss of six wickets.
This was the first T20 international match played in Nepal which the home team won by the record number of runs after posting the record total of 236 runs.
Player-of-the-match Malla brought up his first century in T20Is, Nepa’s and its captain’s second in the format, to help Nepal post winning total of 236 runs for the loss of three wickets in 20 overs. Malla, who smashed 107 runs off 55 deliveries, included five boundaries and nine sixes, made majority of the contribution to boost Nepal’s net run rate ahead of the crucial matches against Maldives and Bangladesh on Friday and Saturday respectively.
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Former captain Paras Khadka contributed 57 runs off 28 deliveries which included nine fours and a six in an opening partnership of 108 runs with Malla. Similarly, Dipendra Singh Airee boosted the total with an unbeaten 27-ball 45 runs which included four boundaries and a six.
Bhutani legspinner Karma Dorji impressed the most with his two wickets in the match dismissing Paras Khadka and Rohit Kumar Paudel who was promoted to bat at number three. Poudel was dismissed for 6 runs off 6 deliveries. Similarly, Tobden Singye chipped in with a wicket.
In reply, Bhutan was limited to 95 runs in 20 overs for the loss of six wickets. Ranjung Dorji was the top-scorer for Bhutan scoring 27 runs in 23 deliveries including four sixes. Rashid Khan who on his debut for Nepal senior team bowled four overs for 19 runs without taking any wickets.
Karan KC, Lalit Rajbanshi and Pawan Sarraf shared a wicket each. Bhutan had won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Nepal will face Maldives on Friday whereas Bhutan will take on Bangladesh in the later match on the day.
In the second match of the day, player-of-the-match Kamindu Mendis scored an unbeaten 102 runs to help Sri Lanka U-23 notch up a 98-run win, third win the trot, against Maldives during the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) cricket match played at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Thursday. Mendis smashed 10 boundaries and three sixes during his 54-ball stay to help Sri Lanka put up a winning total of 192 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs. Maldives struggled throughout the chase being limited to 94 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.
