Kushal, bowlers deliver winning start for Nepal

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Mar 25, 2024

Kushal Bhurtel went all-around to set up Nepal’s six-wicket win over Ireland Wolves on Monday at TU International Cricket Ground. Nepal and Ireland Wolves are facing off against each other in a two-match Twenty20 series.

Ireland Wolves could only manage to score 121 runs in 20 overs after opting to bat first. Kushal came up with a well-compiled unbeaten 37 off 32, with four boundaries, to help the home side chase down the target in 16.1 overs.

Sundeep Jora, who partnered for 54 off 50 balls with Kushal for the fourth wicket, scored 35-ball 36 hitting three fours and two sixes. Dipendra Singh Airee provided Nepal with a finishing touch, scoring an unbeaten 20 off 12 balls including two fours and a maximum.

Gareth Delany picked up two wickets, giving away 28 runs in his four overs for the losing side. Ben White (1-27) and Thomas Mayes (1-12) chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Nepal’s bowlers put in a collective effort, led by player-of-the-match Kushal’s 2-17 in three overs. Lalit Rajbanshi returned the figure of 2-26 in his four overs. Gulshan Jha accounted for two wickets, leaking 13 runs in two overs.

Karan KC (1-9) and Kushal Malla (1-15) walked away with a wicket each.

Opening batsman, Stephen Doheny, stayed in the crease till the 13th over with five others falling apart before him. He slammed four boundaries and two sixes for his 39-ball 46. Thomas Mayes (16) and Liam McCarthy (16) were the other major contributors with the bat for the visiting side.