KATHMANDU, Oct 9: Nepal made a winning start in the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifiers with a commanding 58-run victory over Kuwait, thanks to opener Kushal Bhurtel’s brilliant half-century and a disciplined bowling performance.
In their opening match held in Oman, Nepal bowled out Kuwait for 83 runs in 18.1 overs while defending a target of 142. Kuwait’s batsmen struggled against Nepal’s tight bowling attack. Clinto Anto top-scored for Kuwait with 26 runs, followed by Yasin Patel (19) and Meet Bhavsar (11), while no other batter managed to reach double digits.
Nepal faces Kuwait in a must-win match to reach global qualifie...
Nepal’s bowlers were exceptional. Captain Rohit Paudel claimed two key wickets for just 9 runs in his two overs. Lalit Rajbanshi and Sandeep Lamichhane also took two wickets each, while Sompal Kami conceded only 3 runs in two overs and picked up one wicket. Kushal Bhurtel and Nandan Yadav contributed with a wicket apiece.
Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Al Amerat, Nepal posted 141 runs for seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The start wasn’t promising as openers Aasif Sheikh (2), Rohit Paudel (16), Kushal Malla (4), and Sundeep Jora (5) fell cheaply, leaving Nepal struggling at 63 for 4 in 11.4 overs.
However, opener Kushal Bhurtel held his ground and anchored the innings with a composed unbeaten 66 off 56 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes. In the final overs, Gulshan Jha played a quickfire cameo, smashing three sixes in just six balls to score 20 runs.
For Kuwait, Chenthamara Anudeep and Naveenraj Thadathil Rajendran each took two wickets.
With this victory, Nepal earned two crucial points to start their campaign on a high note.
