ZHEJIANG: In an astonishing display of power hitting, Nepal’s cricket team etched their name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the first men’s team ever to surpass the 300-run mark in a T20 international match.
This record-breaking feat unfolded on a picturesque morning at the Zhejiang University for Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field during the ongoing Asian Games.
Nepal’s incredible batting onslaught left cricket aficionados awestruck as they amassed a colossal total of 314-3 in their allotted 20 overs, eclipsing the previous highest score of 278-3 set by Afghanistan against Ireland in 2019.
Led by the precocious talent of Kushal Malla, who blazed his way to the fastest T20 international century in just 34 balls, the Nepalese side showcased a cricketing spectacle for the ages.
Malla’s sublime century performance bettered the previous record held by South African cricketer David Miller, who had achieved a century in 35 balls against Bangladesh in 2017. Malla’s final tally stood at an awe-inspiring 137 not out off just 50 balls, featuring a breathtaking display of 12 sixes and eight fours.
Captain Rohit Paudel also contributed significantly to Nepal’s historic innings, smashing 61 off 27 balls, including six sixes, further adding to the Mongolian bowlers’ misery.
However, the most jaw-dropping moment came courtesy of Dipendra Singh Airee, who concluded Nepal’s innings in a manner that will be recounted for generations to come.
Airee went on a six-hitting spree, launching an astonishing eight sixes in an unbeaten 52 off a mere 10 balls. He accomplished his fifty in just nine balls, setting yet another world record, surpassing India’s Yuvraj Singh’s 2007 feat against England, which took 12 balls.
Nepal’s relentless assault on the Mongolian bowlers was encapsulated by a mind-boggling total of 26 sixes in their innings, setting another record and surpassing Afghanistan’s previous record of 22 against Ireland.
Mongolia, who had recently witnessed their women’s team being bowled out for a meager 15 runs in the same Asian Games, faced an equally daunting task against Nepal’s formidable batting lineup. They were eventually dismissed for just 41 runs, succumbing to Nepal’s relentless onslaught.
