Kathmandu, September 25
Twelve years ago, Afghanistan handed Nepal one of the most painful defeats in the country’s Asian Games cricket history.
In the 2014 Asian Games quarterfinal, Nepal fell eight runs short while chasing Afghanistan’s modest target of 120. The defeat ended Nepal’s hopes of a historic medal and remained a bitter memory for Nepali cricket fans.
Twelve years later, on the same Asian Games stage, Nepal finally changed the story.
Nepal defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in a much-anticipated encounter, not only settling the score from the 2014 defeat but also moving within touching distance of a place in the quarterfinals.
Nepal and Afghanistan had also met earlier in 2014, at the T20 World Cup, where Nepal emerged victorious. But it was Afghanistan’s win at the Asian Games that proved costly for Nepal’s medal campaign.
This time, Nepal made sure history did not repeat itself.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first, but Nepal’s spin attack quickly took control. Afghanistan managed only 102 runs for seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Faisal Shinwari top-scored with 33 runs, while experienced batter Najibullah Zadran made 30. The rest of the Afghan batting lineup struggled against Nepal’s bowlers.
Kushal Bhurtel produced the best bowling figures of his career, taking four wickets, while Lalit Rajbanshi claimed three. Their combined spell dismantled Afghanistan’s middle order and restricted them to a below-par total.
Nepal chased down the 103-run target in 17.2 overs, losing five wickets.
Sundeep Jora top-scored with 34 runs, while captain Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 33. Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 15 runs to steady the innings.
The victory has put Nepal in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals, where they will face either India or Sri Lanka. The opponent will be determined after Nepal’s final group-stage match against Japan on Saturday.
If Nepal defeats Japan, it will finish top of the group and face Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals. Even if Nepal loses to Japan, it is still likely to qualify as runners-up and face India, provided the defeat is not by an unexpectedly large margin.
Bhurtel and Rajbanshi put Afghanistan under pressure
Nepal had been invited to bowl first after losing the toss, while Afghanistan opted to bat after assessing the conditions.
Lalit Rajbanshi immediately put Afghanistan under pressure. Bowling the opening over, he bowled Hasan Eisakhil and then dismissed Mohammad Akram in the third over.
Rajbanshi struck again in the fifth over, bowling experienced batter Karim Janat to leave Afghanistan struggling at 16-3.
Afghanistan then began rebuilding through a partnership, but Kushal Bhurtel broke it.
Introduced in the 11th over, Bhurtel dismissed the well-set Faisal Shinwari. He then struck twice in the 15th over, removing Mohammad Ishaq and Darwish Rasooli off consecutive deliveries.
Bhurtel completed his four-wicket haul in the 17th over by dismissing Najibullah Zadran.
With Nepal’s spinners continuing to trouble the Afghan batters, Afghanistan finished on 102-7 after 20 overs. Although the conditions made the total somewhat competitive, Afghanistan had still been expected to score more.
After the match, Dipendra said Nepal had planned from the outset to rely heavily on its spinners.
“We believed the spinners would do well. Lalit and Kushal bowled exceptionally well. Once we restricted them to a low total, the chase became easier,” he said.
Middle order steadies Nepal after poor start
Nepal also struggled early in the chase.
Kushal Bhurtel was dismissed without scoring on the second ball of the innings, while Asif Sheikh followed in the fourth over after making just two runs.
Batting at No. 3, Sandeep Jora provided stability. He scored 34 off 35 balls and helped Nepal recover from its difficult start.
Nepal, however, continued to lose wickets through run-outs. Kushal Malla was dismissed for nine, while Jora himself was eventually run out while attempting to push for an additional run.
When Jora departed, Nepal was 56-4 after 10 overs.
Captain Dipendra Singh Airee and Rohit Paudel then put together a crucial 46-run partnership to take Nepal close to victory.
Their running between the wickets was particularly effective. They capitalised on fielding mistakes and picked up twos without taking unnecessary risks.
Nepal eventually completed the chase in 17.2 overs to secure a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan, 12 years after their painful Asian Games defeat.
Bhurtel, who contributed little with the bat but played a decisive role with the ball, said he was pleased to make an impact.
“I couldn’t do much with the bat today, but I’m happy that I was able to contribute with the ball. I have enjoyed cricket since I was young, so it is always satisfying to contribute wherever I can,” he said.
Nepal almost certain to reach quarterfinals
Nepal will play Japan in its final group-stage match on Saturday, with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals.
Even a defeat against Japan could be enough for Nepal to reach the last eight, but a victory would see Nepal finish as group winners and set up a quarterfinal against Sri Lanka.
Dipendra said the Japan match remains important and that Nepal’s medal ambitions are still alive.
“The team is boosted and we also have the experience. We will give 100 percent from our side to bring home a medal,” he said.
Twelve years ago, Afghanistan ended Nepal’s medal hopes at the Asian Games. This time, Nepal’s victory over the same opponent has strengthened its hopes of writing a different chapter in its Asian Games story.
