KATHMANDU, April 13: The Nepal National Cricket team has sustained the loss of four wickets in the first five overs of the 175 runs chase against Kuwait in the final of the ongoing four-nation T20 series in Hong Kong. The Nepali team has scored 38 runs at the loss of four wickets in six overs.
Having scored 22 runs in the first two overs, opener duo Asif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtel seemed set on the crease before Bhurtel (3 runs off 7 balls) was dismissed by Yasin Patel and Anudeep Chenthamara dismissed Asif Sheikh (21 runs off 11 balls) and Kushal Malla (golden duck) in successive deliveries in the fourth over.
The match, being held in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, saw Kuwait bat first after winning the toss. They posted a total of 174 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
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Although Kuwait got off to a strong start, their middle-order batters couldn’t capitalize on the momentum, which prevented them from putting up an even bigger total.
Kuwait's opener Ravija Sandaruwan played an aggressive innings, scoring 63 runs. He hit six fours and four sixes in his 36 balls.
Similarly, the other opener Clinto Anto added 26 runs off just 14 balls, which included one four and three sixes. Together, the duo gave Kuwait a solid start with a 49-run partnership in just 4.2 overs for the first wicket.
Usman Patel contributed 23 runs, while Meet Bhavsar added 16 and captain Mohammed Aslam scored 13.
For Nepal, Nandan Yadav and Sompal Kami each took 2 wickets, while Kushal Bhurtel and Karan KC each claimed 1 wicket.
Nepal entered the final unbeaten, having topped the table in the league stage with five points from three matches. Kuwait secured a spot in the final with four points from the same number of matches, finishing second.
Earlier in the league stage, Nepal had defeated Kuwait by six wickets.
