Nepal has entered the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers on Monday defeating Canada by eight wickets.
Nepal achieved the 81 runs target set by Canada in 14.1 overs losing only two wickets. Opener Kushal Bhurtel scored not out 34 runs for Nepal hitting three fours. Dipendra Singh Airee made 27 runs. Kaleem Sana and Salman Nazar of Canada took one wicket each.
Earlier, Canada managed to get only 80 runs on the board losing all wickets in 15 overs. Nepali bowlers took wickets in regular intervals. They showed impressive and disciplined performance. Nepali team captain Sandeep Lamichhane grabbed three wickets giving only 12 runs in his four-over bowling spell. Kamal Airee and Abinash Bohara took two wickets each.
Tailenders Dillon Heyliger and Salman Nazar of Canada made 24 and 10 runs respectively. No other batsmen managed to score in double-digit.
The match was played at Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman.
Nepal will play against the United Arab Emirates in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari congratulated the Nepali cricket team for their tremendous performance, and hope for the best results in the coming games.
ओमानमा जारी टी२० विश्वकप क्रिकेट छनौट खेलमा क्यानडालाई पराजित गर्दै सेमिफाइनलमा प्रवेश गर्न सफल नेपाली क्रिकेट टोलीका खेलाडी‚ प्रशिक्षक तथा पदाधिकारीहरूलाई हार्दिक बधाई ! नेपाली टिमले विश्वकप क्रिकेट खेलेको हेर्न चाहने खेलप्रेमीको अपेक्षा पूरा गर्न सफल हुनुहोस्‚ अग्रिम शुभकामना !
— Bidya Devi Bhandari (@PresidentofNP) February 21, 2022
Nepali team captain Sandeep Lamichhane was declared as Player of the Match.
Nepali cricket fans, sports personalities, including political leaders have expressed happiness and congratulated the Nepali team. They hope that the young Nepali team will be able to reach World Cup T20 tournament.
Nepal earlier defeated Oman by 39 runs and Philippines by 136 runs. With winning all three match of the group B, Nepal team earned 6 points while Oman grabbed 4 points, Canada 2 and Philippines 0 points.
Nepal, who missed out on the global qualifier in 2019 after failing to make it out of Asia Regional qualifying, have been granted a spot this time around based on the ICC’s T20I rankings, as have UAE, who were part of the global qualifier in 2019.
