Asian Games: Nepal suffers 23-run defeat against India

KATHMANDU: The Nepali men’s national cricket team exited the 19th Asian Games after conceding a 23-run defeat against India in Hangzhou on Tuesday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Indian team, consisting of several Indian Premier League (IPL) stars, scored 202 runs for the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. In response, Nepal managed to score 179 runs losing nine wickets.

The Indian openers set the tone with a century partnership, amassing 103 runs in just 9.5 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 100 runs from just 49 balls, which included eight fours and seven sixes. Ruturaj Gaikwad contributed 25 runs from 23 balls. Despite the early dismissals of Tilak Varma (2) and Jitesh Sharma (5), Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh added quick runs in the death overs. Dube remained unbeaten with 15 runs from 19 balls, while Singh ended with an unbeaten 37 runs from 15 balls.

Dipendra Singh Airee claimed two wickets for Nepal, while Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane each took one wicket.

Chasing 203 to secure a spot in the semifinals, Nepal got off to a promising start by adding 29 runs for the first wicket in 3.4 overs. Although the Nepali top-order batsmen, except Aasif Sheikh (10) and Rohit Poaudel (3), started brightly, they failed to convert their starts into significant scores.  Khushal Burthel managed 28 runs from 32 balls, Kushal Malla contributed 29 runs off 22 balls, Dipendra Singh Airee played a quickfire innings of 32 runs from 15 balls, and Sandeep Jora scored 29 runs from 12 balls. Karan KC remained unbeaten with 18 runs from 13 balls.

Avesh Khan and Ravi Vishnoi both claimed three wickets each for India, while Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets, and Sai Kishore took one wicket.