KATHMANDU, June 4: Nepal registered a commanding 167-run victory over Malaysia in the Asian Games Men's Cricket Qualifiers on Thursday, thanks to a blistering century from Kushal Bhurtel and an impressive all-round bowling performance.
Playing at the Singapore National Cricket Ground, Nepal posted a massive total of 275 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs after being invited to bat first.
Opening batter Bhurtel starred with a sensational knock of 126 runs off just 54 deliveries, smashing 14 fours and eight sixes to record a brilliant century.
Sarraf, Paudel star in Nepal’s dominant first win
Fellow opener Aasif Sheikh also played an aggressive innings, scoring 68 runs from 24 balls, including five boundaries and seven sixes.
For Nepal, captain Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 31 runs from 11 balls, while Lokesh Bam added 10 runs.
For Malaysia, Virandeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 22 runs in four overs. Syed Azizand Vijay Unni took two wickets each.
Chasing a daunting target of 276, Malaysia could only manage 108 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their 20 overs.
Captain Syed Aziz fought a lone battle with a half-century, scoring 54 runs off 45 balls. Apart from him, Sharvin Muniandy scored 18 runs and Mohamad Haikal added 13, while the rest of the batting lineup failed to make significant contributions.
Nepal's bowlers dominated the chase, with Sher Malla producing a match-winning spell. He took three wickets while conceding just 14 runs in his four overs.
Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Sandeep Lamichhane, captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Malla chipped in with one wicket each as Nepal sealed an emphatic victory.
