n a stunning display of cricket prowess, the Nepalese Cricket Team has notched up back-to-back victories in the Asian Games Cricket tournament, securing a well-deserved spot in the quarter-finals. Their remarkable journey began with a record-breaking 273-run victory over Mongolia on September 27th, followed by an equally impressive 138-run win against the Maldives.

As Nepal advances to the quarterfinals, their opponent is yet to be confirmed. The cricket powerhouses of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have already secured their places in the next stage of the competition.

Bowling Brilliance Seals the Deal

Facing an imposing target of 213 runs, the Maldives found themselves struggling against Nepal’s formidable bowling lineup from the very start. Sompal Kami set the tone with a wicket in the opening over.

However, the real showstopper was Abinash Bohara, who wreaked havoc by taking three wickets in a single over, dismantling the Maldives’ innings. His pinpoint yorkers left the Maldives reeling, with four wickets falling for a mere 16 runs by the end of the powerplay.

Muawiyath Ghanee managed to keep the scoreboard ticking with a respectable 36 runs, including two boundaries and two sixes. Nevertheless, apart from Rashid Rassam (12*) and Fareed Shius (10), no other Maldivian batsmen managed to reach double-digit scores, with six players being dismissed for ducks. Eventually, the Maldives were bowled out for 74 in 19.4 overs.

Abinash Bohara’s exceptional performance stood out as he became the first Nepalese bowler to claim a sensational six-wicket haul in T20I. His remarkable bowling figures of 3.4-0-11-6 now stand as the best in Nepalese T20I history. Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Kushal Bhurtel contributed with one wicket each to round off a stellar bowling display.

Explosive Batting Showcases Nepal’s Dominance

In the batting department, Nepal showcased its might by posting a commanding total of 212/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Rohit Paudel led the way with a half-century, and Kushal Malla’s late blitz added to the fireworks.

Opting to bat first at the Zhejiang University of Technology Cricket Ground, Nepal faced an early setback as Aasif Sheikh was dismissed for a modest 6 from 8 balls. Kushal Bhurtel followed suit shortly after the end of the powerplay, contributing an impressive 35 off just 18 balls. Binod Bhandari and Sundeep Jora couldn’t make a significant impact, scoring 13 (15 balls) and five (nine balls), respectively.

Gulshan Jha and Rohit Paudel then combined forces to add 70 runs for the fifth wicket, with Jha scoring a valuable 35 off 21 balls. Paudel, displaying his captaincy mettle, notched up his third T20I half-century, completing the milestone in 26 balls, including two consecutive sixes before being run out.

Meanwhile, Kushal Malla provided the finishing touch with a breathtaking 47 runs off just 20 balls, propelling Nepal past the 200-run mark. In the final 8 overs, Nepal managed to accumulate a staggering 122 runs.

Nazwan Ismail emerged as the standout bowler for the Maldives, claiming three wickets while conceding just 17 runs.

As Nepal’s journey in the Asian Games Cricket tournament unfolds, their remarkable performances are undoubtedly setting the stage for an exciting cricketing future. With their potent blend of batting and bowling talents, Nepal is poised to make waves on the international cricket scene. Stay tuned for more thrilling cricket action from this dynamic team!