In a match played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, India handed Nepal a comprehensive 10-wicket defeat in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.
Due to persistent rain showers throughout the day, the match was shortened to 23 overs per side.
Indian opening batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, comfortably chased down the target set by Nepal. Both players achieved half-centuries, securing India’s place in the Super Four stage.
Rohit Sharma played an explosive innings, scoring 74 runs off 59 balls, which included six boundaries and five sixes. Shubman Gill contributed 67 runs off 62 balls, with nine boundaries.
In their previous game against Pakistan, India had to share points as the match was abandoned due to rain, with no balls bowled.
Unfortunately, Nepal, participating in their first-ever Asia Cup, has been eliminated from the tournament following this loss.
In the first innings, Aasif Sheikh and Sompal Kami played vital roles in helping Nepal post a competitive total of 231 runs against India in this fifth match of the tournament.
Nepal’s debut in the Asia Cup got off to a fortunate start as the Indian fielding side dropped three catches within the first five overs, missing the opportunity for a dream start.
Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, the opening pair for Nepal, put up a solid partnership of 65 runs before Shardul Thakur claimed the first wicket for India.
Aasif Sheikh played a responsible innings, achieving a well-deserved half-century before being dismissed by Mohammad Siraj for 58 runs.
Following Aasif’s dismissal, Nepal lost wickets at regular intervals, but Sompal Kami played a crucial role in guiding his team to a competitive total, scoring 48 runs off 56 deliveries.
Contributions from Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulshan Jha, who scored 29 and 23 runs respectively, were also noteworthy.
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