ICC World T20: Nepal vs. Afghanistan – Nepal prevail in close encounter; bow out with heads high

Nepal Cricket Team (Photo credits: cricketingnepal.com)

Bouncing back from their loss to hosts Bangladesh, Nepal defeated Afghanistan by nine runs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, in Bangladesh.

After being put into bat first, Nepal made 141 losing 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Wicket-keeper cum opening batsman Subash Khakurel scored 56 off 53 balls, while the other opener Sagar Pun was dismissed early after scoring 8 runs off 11 balls. The usually consistent skipper Parash Khadka managed just a solitary run in the game, with vice-captain Gyanandra Malla (22 off 13 balls) not being able to convert a good start.

Sharad Veswakar’s 37 off 38 balls made sure his team set a competitive target of 142 runs. Left-arm fast bowler Shapoor Zadran continued his good run, taking 2 wickets for Afghanistan.

Chasing 142, Afghanistan only managed to make 132/8 in 20 overs. Man-of-the-match Jitendra Mukhiya of Nepal claimed three wickets, while Sompal Kami and Shakti Gauchan picked up two wickets each. After the top order collapse, which left the Afghans reeling at 50 for 5, the middle order recovered well to make a match out of it; Asghar Stanikzai (49 off 48) and Shafiqullah (36 off 38) revived their team’s interest but were unable to take their team past the finishing line.

Nepal may not have qualified for the Super 10, but they have surely left a mark on the cricketing world by winning 2 of their 3 qualification matches, losing only to Bangladesh.