Nepal got off to a perfect start in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025, defeating Kuwait by 58 runs in their opening Group B fixture at Al Amerat. The victory gave the Rhinos a strong start in their bid to qualify for next year's T20 World Cup.
The Rhinos posted 141/7 and bowled out Kuwait for 83 to begin their qualifying campaign on a high.
After being asked to bat first, Nepal posted 141/7 in 20 overs, built around a composed knock from opener Kushal Bhurtel, who top-scored with 66 off 56 balls. His innings provided the backbone of Nepal's total even as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Nepal endured a quiet start — Kuwait's bowlers didn't concede a boundary in the first three overs and kept things tight through the middle phase (7th–16th overs). However, a late flourish lifted Nepal past 140.
Gulshan Jha's explosive cameo of 20 off just six balls injected late momentum, while Dipendra Singh Airee (20 off 19) and captain Rohit Paudel (16 off 15) played important stabilising roles in the middle order.
Chasing 142, Kuwait never found rhythm and were bowled out for 83 in 18.1 overs. Clinto Anto was the only batter to offer resistance, scoring 26 off 23 balls with two sixes against Sandeep Lamichhane.
Nepal's bowlers were ruthless as Lalit Rajbanshi grabbed 2/17, helping to rip through the middle and lower order. Skipper Rohit Paudel chipped in with 2/9 in his two overs. Sandeep Lamichhane, returning to the side, was tidy with 2/22, striking at key moments to derail Kuwait's chase.
Kuwait's 83 all out marked their joint-lowest total against Nepal, while the combined aggregate of 224 runs is the lowest in T20Is between the two sides.
The win gives Nepal early momentum in the regional qualifier. They will next face Japan on Friday, 10 October, as they look to continue their push toward World Cup qualification.
