Asian Games 2023: Nepal shatters the records of highest total and biggest win in T20 Internationals

Table of Contents

Nepal’s towering total
- Highest totals in T20Is
Mongolia’s struggles at the crease
Nepal’s bowling excellence
- Biggest win in T20I cricket

The Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field witnessed an electrifying showdown as Nepal and Mongolia clashed in the 1st Match of the Asian Games Men’s T20I 2023. From the toss to the final delivery, it was a match that will be etched in the memory of cricket enthusiasts.

Nepal’s towering total

Nepal won the toss and elected to bat. Their decision proved to be the right one as they unleashed a batting masterclass. Nepal’s innings was marked by explosive hitting and some breathtaking strokes. Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh provided a steady start but fell relatively early, scoring 19 and 16 runs, respectively.

The real fireworks began when Kushal Malla took center stage. His blistering 137 runs off just 50 balls included a whopping 12 sixes and 8 fours. His innings was a display of sheer power-hitting, and it left the Mongolian bowlers shell-shocked. Rohit Kumar Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee also chipped in with crucial contributions, scoring 61 and 52 runs, respectively. Nepal posted an imposing total of 314/3 in their 20 overs, setting a monumental target for Mongolia.

Highest totals in T20Is:

314/3: Nepal against Mongolia (2023)
278/3: Afghanistan against Ireland (2019)
278/4: Czech Republic against Turkey (2019)
263/3: Australia against Sri Lanka (2016)
260/6: Sri Lanka against Kenya (2007)

Also READ: Asian Games 2023 – Nepal’s Kushal Malla breaks David Miller and Rohit Sharma’s record of fastest century in T20 internationals

Mongolia’s struggles at the crease

Chasing a mammoth target, Mongolia found themselves in a daunting position from the very start. Their top order crumbled, and the wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Nyambaatar Naranbaatat, Buyantushig Terbish, Enkh-Erdene Otgonbayar, and Luvsanzundui Erdenebulgan all fell without contributing significantly to the scoreboard.

Davaasuren Jamyansuren showed some resistance, scoring 10 runs off 23 balls, but the pressure from Nepal’s bowlers proved too much for Mongolia. In the end, Mongolia was bowled out for a mere 41 runs in 13.1 overs.

Nepal’s bowling excellence

Nepal’s bowlers complemented the exceptional batting performance. They bowled with precision, making it difficult for the Mongolian batsmen to settle. Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane were the stars with the ball, each picking up two wickets. Abhinash Bohara and Dipendra Singh Airee also made valuable contributions to restrict Mongolia’s scoring.

It was evident from the beginning that this match was Nepal’s to lose. They displayed their dominance with both bat and ball, ultimately winning by a staggering margin of 273 runs.