KATHMANDU: In the showdown of the T20 cricket series featuring Nepal, UAE, and Hong Kong, Nepal set a challenging target of 163 runs for UAE after winning the toss and electing to bat first at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday.
Nepal’s opener Kushal Bhurtel emerged as a pivotal force, crafting an impressive half-century for Nepal with an array of 6 fours and 3 sixes from just 29 balls.
However, his stint came to an end at 7.3 overs as he fell to the formidable bowling of Zahoor Khan, marking Nepal’s third wicket loss.
Earlier in the innings, Asif Sheikh and Kushal Malla fell to the relentless bowling of UAE’s Ayan Khan, contributing 7 and 1 run respectively.
The middle order, comprising players like Rohit Kumar Poudel, Dipendrasingh Airy, Sandeep Zora, and Gulsan Jha, faced considerable pressure, leading to their successive dismissals.
Despite the challenges, Sompal Kami and Karan KC’s resilient performances bolstered Nepal’s position, with the latter finishing unbeaten at 23 runs.
In the nail-biting final over, Karan’s crucial efforts yielded 2 runs, including 2 fours and 1 six from 17 balls, ultimately driving Nepal to a competitive total.
Nepal showcased a promising start with 61 runs for the loss of 1 wicket within the powerplay of 6 overs and 95 runs for 3 wickets in the first 10 overs.
However, the loss of wickets impeded their momentum in the later overs, hindering their run rate.
Ayan Khan of UAE emerged as a standout performer, securing 3 crucial wickets while conceding 19 runs in 4 overs.
Having triumphed in all four matches during the league stage, Nepal’s exceptional form against both UAE and Hong Kong solidified their spot in the finals, underscoring their prowess in the series.
Looking ahead, Nepal is geared up for the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, slated to commence next week in Kathmandu. Positioned in Group A, Nepal will face Singapore, Malaysia, and Oman in their quest for a spot in the T20 World Cup scheduled in America and the West Indies next year.
Their first encounter is set against Singapore on Monday at the University Stadium, with hopes of securing a spot in the semi-finals and ultimately clinching a berth in the coveted World Cup.
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