Loftie-Eaton Twenty20 world record blows Nepal away at home

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Feb 28, 2024

Nicol Loftie-Eaton struck the fastest Twenty20 International century to silence Nepal at their home in the first match of the Tri-Series on Tuesday.

On a pitch tailored for batsmen, Loftie-Eaton punished almost all Nepali bowlers with conventional and unorthodox stroke play to smash a 33-ball 100 leading his side to an imposing 206-4 in 20 overs.

The Namibian all rounder now sits at the top of the list among fastest Twenty20 International centurions eclipsing the record of another southpaw Kushal Malla. The Nepali allrounder had struck a 34-ball ton against Mongolia during the 2022 Asian Games in China.

At a vibrant TU grounds, Nepal didn’t have best of the reply losing opener Kushal Bhurtel (duck) in the first ball and Aasif Sheikh (six) cheaply before their innings was folded for just 186 in 18.5 overs.

It was yet another disappointment for a sizeable crowd in Kirtipur who have seen their team lost to the same side twice and Netherlands once in the preceding ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 home series.

The middle order tried to keep Nepal in the chase but Namibia kept striking to break any partnership that appeared to pose threat.

Skipper Rohit Paudel and Kushal Malla added 57 runs for the third wicket before Loftie-Eaton and Bernard Scholtz got rid of the respective batsmen. Rohit hit three sixes and as many boundaries in his 24-ball 42.

Kushal was out for a 21-ball 32 with four boundaries and a six. Dipendra Singh Airee fought hard in his 32-ball 48 scoring two sixes and as many boundaries. Sompal Kami played an 11-ball cameo of 26 with three sixes and a four.

Strike bowler Ruben Trumplemann took 4-29 from four overs including consecutive dismissals of Dipendra and new-man Abinash Bohora. Scholtz, Jan Frylinck and Loftie-Eaton took two wickets each.

Earlier, the story was all about Loftie-Eaton who blew away Nepal with his brutal hitting. Namibia were 62-3 by the 11th over but Loftie-Eaton went on to add 135 runs from just 52 balls with opener Malan Kruger.

On the way to scoring first ever century for his country, Loftie-Eaton smashed 11 fours and eight sixes. Kruger carried the bat with a 48-ball 59. Rohit took two wickets for Nepal.