Kuwait VS Nepal: In a thrilling finale at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong, Kuwait pulled off a sensational 3-run win over Nepal to lift the Quadrangular T20I Series 2025 trophy on Sunday, April 13. The underdogs held their nerves in a high-voltage contest, defending 174 in a last-over thriller that kept fans on the edge of their seats till the very last delivery.
Kuwait’s Power-Packed Start
Opting to bat first after Nepal won the toss and chose to field, Kuwait’s top order showed great intent. The star of the innings was opener Ravija Sandaruwan, who hammered a blistering 63 off just 36 balls. His innings, laced with 6 boundaries and 4 sixes, gave Kuwait the perfect platform. He was ably supported by Clinto Anto (26 off 14) and Usman Patel (23 off 15), as the team reached a formidable 174/7 in 20 overs.
Despite some late wickets, Kuwait’s innings maintained momentum, thanks to useful cameos from Mohammed Aslam and Naveenraj Rajendran, who chipped in towards the end.
Nepal’s bowling unit saw mixed results. Sompal Kami impressed with his spell of 2/26, while Nandan Yadav took 2/34. However, they couldn’t prevent Kuwait from setting a strong target.
Nepal Fights Hard But Falls Short
In response, Nepal’s innings started shakily with early wickets falling, but Basir Ahamad played one of the finest innings of the tournament to keep his side in the hunt. He smashed 80 runs off 43 balls, keeping the scoreboard ticking and hopes alive. His aggressive intent, marked by clean hitting and smart rotation, threatened to take the game away from Kuwait.
Late in the innings, Nandan Yadav (37 off 14) almost turned the tide in Nepal’s favor with some explosive hitting. But Kuwait’s bowlers showed remarkable discipline in the final overs.
With Nepal needing just 7 runs in the last over, Anudeep Chandamara emerged as Kuwait’s hero, claiming 3 wickets for 18 runs in 2.3 overs, including the final wicket with three balls to spare.
Historic Win for Kuwait
This victory marks a significant milestone in Kuwait’s cricketing journey. Defeating a seasoned associate team like Nepal in a high-pressure final is no small feat. Kuwait’s collective team effort—blistering batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding—earned them their maiden Quadrangular Series title.
Match Summary:
Kuwait: 174/7 in 20 overs (Ravija Sandaruwan 63, Clinto Anto 26; Sompal Kami 2/26, Nandan Yadav 2/34)
Nepal: 171 all out in 19.3 overs (Basir Ahamad 80, Nandan Yadav 37; Anudeep Chandamara 3/18, Yasin Patel 2/24)
Result: Kuwait won by 3 runs
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, Hong Kong
Toss: Nepal won the toss and opted to bowl
What This Means
For Kuwait, this win will inject immense confidence as they prepare for upcoming ICC pathway tournaments. For Nepal, the defeat will sting, especially after coming so close. But performances like Basir Ahamad’s will offer plenty of positives.
This final, with its close margins and standout performances, was a fitting end to an entertaining series that showcased the growing competitiveness in associate cricket.
