Record-setting Dipendra hands Nepal consecutive victory

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Apr 14, 2024

Dipendra Singh Airee joined the echelons of global superstars Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard in Twenty20 International cricket handing Nepal a 32-run victory over Qatar in the ACC Premier Cup in Oman on Sunday.

A day after giving man-of-the-match performance against Malaysia at the Al Amerat Cricket Grounds, Dipendra struck six sixes in an over putting his team in a pole position to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

Having already smashed the world record for quickest T20I half century, Dipendra became only the fifth player to hit record sixes in an over in international cricket leading his side to a formidable 210-7.

He then returned the figures of 2-34 as Qatar were restricted to 178-9 on a flat batting surface. Nepal were 174-7 by the end of 19th over before Dipendra struck Kamran Khan for six sixes with brilliant display of batting.

Dipendra Singh Airee smashing Kamran Khan on his way to smash a world record six consecutive sixes in an over. PHOTO COURTESY: ACC

He also has a record of nine-ball half century (against Mongolia during the 2023 Asian Games) to his name. He ended up scoring 21-ball 64 with seven sixes and three fours.

Herschelle Gibbs (against Netherlands in 2007 World Cup) and Jaskaran Malhotra (against Papua New Guinea in an ODI Series) are other two batsmen to hit six sixes in an over in international matches.

Nepal lost Kushal Bhurtel early in the innings before Aasif Sheikh and skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel (18) steadied the innings with a 49-run second wicket stand. Aasif, dropped twice, chipped in a 41-ball 52 with six hits to the fence.

Kushal Malla set the stage for Dipendra smashing an 18-ball 35 with two fours and three sixes. Himanshu Rathod and Musawar Shah picked up 3 wickets each for Qatar.

Chasing a mammoth 211, Mumammad Tanveer was the only Qatari batsman playing with some grit hitting a 33-ball 63. His innings included six fours and two sixes.

Lalit Rajbanshi and Gulshan Jha also took two wickets each for Nepal.

Nepal, who are top of the table with four points from two games, will play Hong Kong up next in their third match. A victory will put Nepal in the semi-finals.