Kathmandu, Sept 27: Nepal is playing its first match against Mongolia in men’s cricket tournament under the 19th Asian Games, 2023.
The match starts at 6.45 am Nepali time today. Mongolia is making its debut in men’s cricket. It may be noted that the International Cricket Council (ICC) recognized Mongolia as associate team only in 2021.
Meanwhile, Nepal is batting first against Mongolia. Nepal has managed to score 122 runs in just 10 overs. Nepali opening batsmen Kushal Bhurtel scored 19 runs while Aasif Sheikh 16 runs. Both of them have departed.
But Kushal Malla is still there in the crease scoring 63 runs (not out). Nepal’s current run rate is above 12 runs.
Nepal which is in Group ‘A’ will play its second match against the Maldives on Sunday. Nepal will enter the quarter-final if it retains top position in the Group ‘A’.
On such condition, Nepal would play against a team from among India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in the quarter-final. All five countries have sent their second line teams to participate in the Asian Games due to the One Day World Cup Championship.
A Nepali men’s cricket team has arrived here on Sunday to take part in the tournament. Two key members of Nepali cricket team – Sandeep Lamichhane and Sagar Dhakal – also arrived Hangzhou lately.
In the Asiad 2023, Mongolia, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Hongkong, Thailand, Maldives and Malaysia will be playing at the group stage. However, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will directly qualify for final round.
The final will be played on October 7, 2023.
Nepali cricket team
Rohit Paudel (Captain), Karan KC, Pratis GC, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Sundeep Jora, Binod Bhandari, Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Bibek Kumar Yadav, Abinash Bohora, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sagar Dhakal
Mongolia cricket team
Mungun Altankhuyag, Davaasuren Jamyansuren, Luvsanzundui Erdenebulgan (c), Od Lutbayar, Enkhtuvshin Munkhbat, Namsrai Bat-yalalt, Nyambaatar Naranbaatar, Enkh-erdene Otgonbayar †, Tur-erdene Sumiya, Buyantushig Terbish, Tumursukh Turmunkh
