In a dazzling display of cricket prowess, Nepal etched their name in the annals of T20 history at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The team not only secured an astounding victory over Mongolia but also shattered records, marking a groundbreaking moment in men’s T20 cricket.
Facing Mongolia in the contest, Nepal showcased an extraordinary batting performance, amassing a staggering 314-3 in just 20 overs. Kushal Malla emerged as the hero of the innings, delivering a phenomenal 137* off 50 balls. Alongside him, Paudel contributed a quickfire 61 off 27, while Dipendra Singh Airee stole the spotlight with a record-breaking fastest fifty, scoring an unbeaten 52 off a mere 10 balls.
The highlight of the match was Malla’s breathtaking 34-ball century, establishing a new record for the fastest T20 international hundred. Airee’s explosive knock, featuring eight sixes and two twos, showcased unprecedented aggression, including six consecutive sixes in his initial five deliveries. The innings culminated with Airee achieving a remarkable strike-rate of 520 runs per hundred balls, a first-time feat for a batter concluding an innings of 10 balls or more with a strike-rate surpassing 500.
Nepal’s dominance continued as they dismissed Mongolia for a paltry 41 runs in 13.1 overs, securing a historic win with a record margin of 273 runs – an achievement that now stands as the largest victory margin in men’s T20 international cricket.
Notably, the match featured a total of 26 sixes in Nepal’s innings, setting a new record for the most sixes in a T20 international innings. The previous international record was jointly held by Afghanistan and West Indies, with Balkh Legend hitting 23 in the Afghanistan Premier League in 2018.
Mongolia, a recent International Cricket Council (ICC) associate member since 2021, competed in their inaugural international match, witnessing the overwhelming might of Nepal’s cricketing prowess. Currently ranked 17th in the ICC rankings, Nepal’s triumph at the Asian Games has not only secured their place in history but has also underscored their standing as a formidable force in international cricket.
