Nepal Cricket Team Sets T20I Record in Asian Games Qualifier

Nepal’s national cricket team made history at the Asian Games Men's T20I Qualifier in Singapore, becoming the first side to score more than 300 runs in a T20I match on two separate occasions [1]. The team secured a dominant 221-run victory over China after posting a total of 313/2 in their 20 overs [5].

Key takeaways

• Kushal Bhurtel scored 129 runs from 43 deliveries, including six consecutive sixes in a single over [2].
• Nepal is the first team in T20I history to surpass the 300-run mark twice, having previously achieved the feat in 2023 [1].
• China was bowled out for 92 runs in 19.2 overs, resulting in a 221-run defeat [1].
• Bhurtel joined an exclusive group of players to hit six sixes in a single T20I over, a feat previously accomplished by Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, Dipendra Singh Airee, Darius Visser, and Manan Bashir [3].

A Record-Breaking Performance in Singapore

The match at the Singapore National Cricket Ground saw Nepal’s batting lineup dominate from the start. After the early loss of opener Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel led the charge with a 129-run innings that featured 16 sixes and five fours [4]. During the ninth over, Bhurtel targeted China’s left-arm spinner Chen Zhuo Yue, successfully clearing the boundary six times in succession [3]. This over conceded 37 runs, including an extra wide, making it one of the most expensive overs in international cricket history [4].

Bhurtel’s performance was bolstered by unbeaten knocks from Kushal Malla, who scored 85 off 47 balls, and Rohit Paudel, who added 69 off 21 deliveries [4]. Together, the team struck a total of 29 sixes throughout their innings [5]. In response, the Chinese side struggled to build momentum and was dismissed for 92 runs, handing Nepal a decisive win to open their tournament campaign [1].

Why it matters

This victory marks a significant milestone for Nepal, cementing their status as a high-scoring force in international T20 cricket. For Kushal Bhurtel, the performance highlights his evolution as a leading batter in the post-Paras Khadka era, potentially increasing his profile for future international franchise opportunities [2]. As the Asian Games Men's T20I Qualifier continues, Nepal is scheduled to face Malaysia on June 4, while China looks to recover in their upcoming match against Malaysia on June 2 [1].