*Kathmandu, October 3, 2023* – Cardiac Kids Nepal
In a nail-biting encounter that had cricket fans on the edge of their seats, Nepal clashed with India in the men’s cricket quarter-finals at the Hangzhou Asian Games. The match, which marked the first T20 international meeting between the two cricketing nations, ended with India emerging victorious by a margin of 23 runs.
On Tuesday morning at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field, India set a formidable target of 203 runs for Nepal. As the match unfolded, the Nepalese team showcased their resilience but ultimately fell short, managing to score 179 runs for the loss of 9 wickets.
Nepal’s opening batsmen, Kushal Bhurtel (28 runs) and Asif Sheikh (10 runs), set the stage for their team’s innings. Kushal Malla played an explosive innings, contributing 29 runs from just 22 balls, featuring 2 fours and 2 sixes. The Nepalese side displayed moments of brilliance, with Dipendra Singh Airee stealing the spotlight. Airee delivered a blistering performance, scoring 35 runs with four massive sixes in just 15 balls. His stunning display included three consecutive sixes against Shivam Duve during the 14th over.
However, wickets continued to tumble for Nepal, with Rohit Poudel (3 runs), Sompal Kami (7 runs), Gulsan Jha (6 runs), and Sandeep Lamichhane (5 runs) all falling relatively quickly. Karan KC managed to provide some resistance, finishing unbeaten with 18 runs off 13 balls, featuring 1 four and 2 sixes. Throughout the match, Nepal showcased their hitting prowess, launching an impressive 14 sixes and 11 fours against the Indian bowling attack.
In the bowling department, India’s Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan proved to be the difference-makers, each claiming 3 wickets. Arshdeep Singh chipped in with 2 wickets of his own.
India, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, posted a competitive total of 202 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Yashasvi Jaishwal emerged as the hero for India, notching up a century by smashing 8 fours and 7 sixes from just 49 balls. Jaishwal’s century, however, was short-lived as he was caught behind the wicket by Rohit off the bowling of Dipendra Singh Airey.
Rinku Singh contributed an unbeaten 37 runs for India, while Shivam Duve played a crucial innings of 25 balls. Indian captain Ruturaj Gaekwad was dismissed for 25 runs by Dipendra Singh Airey. India raced to 103 runs after losing their first wicket in just 9.5 overs.
Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee also shone in the bowling department, taking 2 important wickets.
Nepal had previously secured their place in the quarter-finals by winning Group A, while India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan had all directly advanced to the last eight based on their rankings.
As the cricketing world continues to witness thrilling matches in the Hangzhou Asian Games, fans eagerly await more action-packed contests in the days to come.
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