Nepal Defeats Qatar by 8 Wickets in Hong Kong T20I Series Opener

Nepal began their campaign in the four-nation T20 International Series in Hong Kong with a commanding eight-wicket victory over Qatar today.

Chasing a target of 152 runs set by Qatar, Nepal reached the total in just 17 overs, losing only two wickets.

For Nepal, Kushal Bhurtel was the top scorer with 38 runs off 19 balls, which included four boundaries and three sixes. Captain Rohit Paudel contributed 37 runs off 29 deliveries, striking two fours and one six. Aasif Sheikh added 33 runs, while Basir Ahmad remained unbeaten on 30. Nepal also benefited from 16 extras. Mujeeb-ur-Rahman was the only successful bowler for Qatar, claiming two wickets.

Earlier, after losing the toss, Qatar were invited to bat first at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong. They posted 151 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Qatar’s captain Ikramullah Khan led the charge with a solid 54 off 54 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Shahzaib Jameel made 31, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman added 20, Mohammad Irshad scored 18, and Arumugaganesh Nagarajan contributed 13 runs. Rifaie Theruvath and Jasim Khan chipped in with six and four runs respectively. Qatar also received five runs in extras.

In Nepal’s bowling department, Karan KC, Sompal Kami, Nandan Yadav, Gulshan Jha, and Lalit Rajbanshi each took one wicket.