Record studded Nepal hammer China in Asian Games Qualifier opener

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted May 31, 2026

Nepal kicked off their Men’s Asian Games Qualifier campaign with a mammoth 221-run victory over China in Singapore on Sunday.

Nepal posted 313 for 2, their second-highest total in T20 cricket, becoming the first team in international cricket to cross the 300-run mark twice, before bowling China out for 92.

After being invited to bat first, Nepal produced a batting masterclass led by opener Kushal Bhurtel, who smashed a 35-ball century and became the second Nepali batter to hit six sixes in an over.

Bhurtel achieved the feat in the ninth over, taking 37 runs off Chen Zhuo Yue with six sixes and a wide. He eventually scored 129 off just 43 deliveries, striking 16 sixes and five boundaries.

Kushal Malla, batting at No. 3, remained unbeaten on 85 off 47 balls with five sixes and eight boundaries, while captain Rohit Paudel blasted 69 not out off just 21 deliveries, including seven sixes and five fours.

Nepal's 29 sixes in the innings equalled the record for the most sixes in a T20I innings.

For China, Ma Qiancheng and Deng Jinqi picked up a wicket each, though every bowler conceded at more than 10 runs per over.

In reply, China managed only 92 runs, with Shenjian Zheng top-scoring with 31 off 15 balls, including four sixes and a boundary.

Kushal Malla also starred with the ball, returning remarkable figures of 3 for 0 from 1.2 overs. Sandeep Lamichhane (2/29) and Sompal Kami (2/11) shared four wickets, while Nandan Yadav chipped in with one.

Nepal will next face Malaysia on Thursday. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals and secure berths at the Asian Games to be held in Japan in September.