Nepal Sets 276-Run Target Against Malaysia in Asian Games Qualifier

Kathmandu. In the second match of the Asian Games Men's Qualifier 2026, Nepal has presented a massive target of 276 runs against Malaysia. Nepal, batting first after losing the toss, scored 275 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Nepal, in Group A, had also achieved a record-breaking victory by presenting a huge target against China in the first match. Nepal had scored 313 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, while China was bowled out for 92 runs. The team had won by a huge margin of 221 runs.

In the match being played in Singapore on Thursday, openers Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Sheikh gave Nepal a explosive start. The two, who scored a record 95 runs in the powerplay itself, scored runs at a century pace and made a century partnership.

This is Nepal's highest score in the powerplay in any T20 International match. Earlier, Nepal had scored 82 runs in the 2023 Asian Games.

Before getting out in the ninth over, Sheikh scored 68 runs in just 24 balls. He hit 5 fours and 7 sixes in the process. 

Bhurtel, on the other hand, succeeded in scoring his third century in his T20 International career. He contributed 126 runs in just 54 balls. He hit 14 fours and 8 sixes.

He also became the highest run-scorer for Nepal in T20 Internationals. Earlier, this record was in the name of Dipendra Singh Airee. Dipendra had set this record by scoring 2180 runs in 98 matches. Bhurtel succeeded in surpassing this record in just 78 matches. 

Sandeep Jora, who came to the field after Sheikh got out, added 15 runs in 14 balls before returning to the pavilion. He hit 2 sixes. 

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee batted explosively, hitting 31 runs in just 11 balls. He hit 1 four and 4 sixes. Lokesh Bam scored 10 runs with 2 fours in 6 balls.

Kushal Malla scored 9 runs and Karan KC scored 7 runs. Rohit Paudel was forced to return to the pavilion on the very first ball.

For Malaysia, Veerandeep Singh bowled 4 overs, conceding 22 runs and taking 3 wickets. Vijay Unni and Syed Aziz took 2 wickets each.