Namibia secures commanding victory over Nepal in Tri-nations T20I series opener

KATHMANDU: Nepal faced a formidable challenge from Namibia in the inaugural match of the Tri-nations T20 International Series, ultimately falling short by a margin of 20 runs.

The game, held at the prestigious Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, witnessed Namibia's decision to bat first after winning the toss. Their strategy paid off handsomely as they set a daunting target of 207 runs, with just four wickets down.

Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton emerged as the standout performer, showcasing his prowess with a breathtaking century. Loftie-Eaton's century, achieved in a mere 33 balls, etched a new record as the fastest in T20I history.

Nepal's bowlers, led by captain Rohit Poudel, managed to secure some breakthroughs, with Poudel himself claiming two wickets, complemented by Karan KC and Abhinash Bohara each contributing with one.

In their pursuit of the challenging target, Nepal's batsmen showed resilience, with skipper Rohit Poudel and promising talent Kushal Malla making notable contributions with 42 and 32 runs respectively. Additionally, Dipendra Singh Airee's 48 runs bolstered the team's efforts.

However, Namibia's bowler, R. Trumpelmann, emerged as the hero for his team, wreaking havoc with four crucial wickets to thwart Nepal's chase.

The match served as a thrilling start to the series, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent of both teams, with Namibia emerging victorious in this high-stakes encounter.