Nepal crush India by 92 Runs at Hong Kong Sixes

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 9: Nepal registered its first victory in the ongoing Hong Kong Sixes Cricket Tournament with an emphatic 92-run win over India in the Bowl League on Saturday. The match, held at the Kowloon Cricket Club, saw Nepal set a formidable target of 138 runs, which India failed to chase, collapsing to a mere 45 runs in just three overs.

Batting first after winning the toss, Nepal posted a commanding total of 137 runs without losing a wicket. Rashid Khan, in scintillating form, played a blistering knock of 55 runs off just 17 balls, smashing 4 fours and 6 sixes. He retired from the crease after his explosive innings, handing over the baton to his teammates. Sandeep Jora provided solid support with an unbeaten 47 runs from 12 balls, while Lokesh Bam contributed an aggressive 31 runs off just 7 balls, including 1 four and 4 sixes. The performance was a testament to Nepal's aggressive style of play in the short-format game.

Chasing a daunting target, India’s batting line-up faltered under pressure. The Indian team was all out for 45 runs, with Rashid Khan starring with the ball, taking an incredible 3 wickets in a single over. Bashir Ahmed and Rupesh Singh each claimed 2 wickets, while Rashid's hat-trick in the earlier match against Afghanistan was a highlight of the tournament. India’s Bharat Chipli and Priyank Panchal top-scored for their team with 12 runs each, while Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Nadeem made modest contributions of 7 runs apiece. The collapse was completed with Stuart Binny being dismissed for a duck.

Earlier in the competition, Nepal had endured a challenging group stage, failing to qualify for the Cup League after defeats to Afghanistan and South Africa. Their journey in the Bowl League began with a loss to Sri Lanka, but their commanding performance against India has reignited hopes of advancing to the final.

The Bowl League, which features teams eliminated from the main Cup League, will culminate in a final between the top two teams. Nepal will now look to carry their momentum into their next match against the UAE, with the goal of securing a place in the Bowl Final. The team’s victory over India not only marked their first win in the ongoing tournament but also demonstrated their potential in the shorter formats of the game.

This victory is a significant boost for Nepal as they aim to build on their performance in this prestigious international tournament.