Kushal Bhurtel produced a brutal century as Nepal posted 313 for 2 against China in the Asian Games Men's T20I Qualifier in Singapore on Sunday.
Sent in to bat, Nepal rode on Bhurtel's 129 from just 43 balls. The opener hit 16 sixes and five fours in a record-breaking innings. He also became the second Nepal batter to hit six sixes in an over, after Dipendra Singh Airee.
Bhurtel's knock gave Nepal a fierce start after Aasif Sheikh was dismissed for 11 from 10 balls. He kept attacking through the middle overs and pushed Nepal towards another historic T20I total.
Kushal Malla then added an unbeaten 85 from 47 balls. He struck eight fours and five sixes. Former T20I Skipper Rohit Paudel also finished strongly with 69 not out from 21 balls, hitting seven sixes and five fours.
Nepal's 313 for 2 is their second 300-plus total in T20I cricket. They had made 314 for 3 against Mongolia during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
China struggled to contain Nepal’s power-hitting. Ma Qiancheng and Deng Jinqi took one wicket each, but Nepal's batters dominated throughout the innings.
China now need 314 runs to win.
