Kushal and Dipendra perform to hand Nepal their first win

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Mar 01, 2024

Kushal Malla’s unbeaten half-century followed by an excellent bowling performance gave Nepal their first win of the Tri-Nation Twenty20 on Friday at TU International Cricket Ground.

Nepal posted a challenging 180/8 in 20 overs after being asked to bat first. Namibia batted aggressively in the death overs and scored 95 runs in the last eight overs but still fell three runs short of the target with 177/7 in 20 overs.

Kushal Malla top-scored for the home side with an unbeaten 55 off 37 balls including a boundary and four sixes. Aarif Sheikh, who added 85 runs with Kushal for the fifth wicket, scored 24-ball 31 hitting four boundaries.

Ben Shikongo returned the figures of 3-28 in four overs for the losing side. Jack Brassel took two scalps, giving away 45 runs in his four overs.

Namibia’s skipper JJ Smit scored a quickfire half-century in the losing cause. He scored 50 off 26 balls including six fours and two sixes. Jan Frylinck contributed 29-ball 37 hitting a four and two sixes.

Zane Green gave last-minute tension to Nepal with his unbeaten 23 off 13 balls leasing with four boundaries.

Karan KC (2-49), Sompal Kami (2-34) and Dipendra Singh Airee (2-29) picked two wickets apiece for Nepal.