Hong Kong, April 10, 2025 – Nepal’s rising cricketing force Kushal Bhurtel put on a spectacular all-round show to guide his team to a convincing six-wicket victory over Kuwait in the third match of the Quadrangular T20I Series at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, Nepal restricted Kuwait to 185/8, and then chased down the target with seven balls to spare, thanks to a blistering 81 off 50 deliveries by Bhurtel and solid contributions from the top and middle order.
Kuwait’s Promising Start Falls Short
Batting first, Kuwait got off to a decent start with Clinto Anto anchoring the innings with a composed 41 off 30 balls, while Meet Bhavsar (35 off 28) and Bilal Tahir (32 off just 13) added explosive cameos to boost the total.
Despite the aggressive batting, Nepal’s bowlers held their nerve, especially Sompal Kami, who emerged as the pick of the bowlers with 3/36 in his four overs. Nandan Yadav also delivered key breakthroughs with 2 wickets for 34 runs, ensuring Kuwait couldn’t fully capitalize in the death overs.
Nepal’s Chase Anchored by Bhurtel and Aasif
In response, Nepal came out with purpose. Kushal Bhurtel, opening the innings, set the tempo with clean hitting and elegant strokeplay. His 81 off 50 balls, featuring boundaries and smart running between the wickets, kept the scoreboard ticking and the pressure on Kuwait’s bowlers.
At the other end, Aasif Sheikh played a perfect supporting role, scoring 53 off 38 deliveries, rotating strike and finding timely boundaries. The duo stitched a crucial partnership that laid the foundation for the chase.
Airee Applies the Finishing Touch
With the match slipping away from Kuwait’s grip, Dipendra Singh Airee walked in and turned the screws further with a fiery cameo – 31 off just 12 balls – sealing the win in style for Nepal with seven balls to spare.
Kuwait’s bowlers, particularly Yasin Patel (2/17) and Mohamed Aslam (1/25), tried to pull things back, but the total proved insufficient against Nepal’s calculated and aggressive batting display.
Player of the Match: Kushal Bhurtel
With 1/27 from 4 overs and a match-defining 81 with the bat, Kushal Bhurtel was deservedly named Player of the Match. His performance stood out not just for the stats but also for the composure and leadership he brought under pressure.
What’s Next in the Series?
The Quadrangular T20I Series in Hong Kong continues to throw up high-octane cricket. With Nepal now asserting themselves as strong contenders, all eyes will be on their consistency and Kuwait’s bounce-back plans in the upcoming fixtures.
Stay tuned as the action intensifies at Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, with every match turning into a mini-thriller in this exciting 2025 series!
