KATHMANDU: With a fighting half-century from Dipendra Singh Airee, Nepal posted a competitive total against the West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup.
After the West Indies won the toss and elected to field at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Nepal scored 133 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs, setting a target of 134 runs.
Nepal were rescued by a crucial 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Sompal Kami and Dipendra Singh Airee. The pair steadied the innings after Nepal had slumped to 73 for 6 in 15 overs.
Dipendra top-scored with 58 runs off 47 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. He reached his half-century in 44 balls with three fours and two sixes before being caught by Jason Holder. This was his 11th half-century for Nepal and the first by a Nepali batter in the ongoing World Cup.
Overall, it was only Nepal’s second half-century in T20 World Cup history. Previously, Subash Khakurel scored a fifty against Afghanistan in 2014.
Sompal Kami remained unbeaten on 26 off 15 balls, striking four boundaries. Nepal crossed the 100-run mark in 17.4 overs for the loss of six wickets.
Nepal had a shaky start after their top order failed to build partnerships. The team was reduced to 17 for 3 in 4.1 overs and managed just 22 runs for the loss of three wickets in the powerplay.
Lokesh Bam scored 13 off 15 balls, including two fours. Gulshan Jha was bowled by Roston Chase for 11, while Arif Sheikh made 2 off 8 balls before being caught by Jason Holder.
Opener Kushal Bhurtel was bowled by Akeal Hosein for 1 off 3 balls. Ashif Sheikh scored 1 off 10 balls before being dismissed, while captain Rohit Paudel made 5 off 7 balls, hitting one four. Karan KC was dismissed for 1.
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