Nepal defeated Netherlands by 142 runs in the final of the T20 tri-series played in Kirtipur and captured the title. Nepal made a huge score of 238/3 while playing first, in response to which the Netherlands team was all out for just 96 runs. Karan KC was named Man of the Match for taking 3 wickets for just 11 runs and Kushal Bhurtel was named Man of the Series for scoring 278 runs with the help of four fifties in the series.
After losing the toss, Nepal batted first and got the first blow in the third over, when Asif Sheikh was dismissed for 16 runs. From here, Kushal Bhurtel shared 57 runs with Gyanendra Malla (33) for the second wicket and 76 runs with Kushal Malla for the third wicket. Kushal Bhurtel scored 77 off 53 balls and was dismissed in the 16th over.
After this, Kushal Malla (24 balls 50 n.o) and Deependra Singh (18 balls 48 n.o) took the team beyond 230 and constructed an unbeaten partnership of 75 runs for the fourth wicket. Nepal crossed the 200 mark for the third time in the series, with their final total of 238/3 being their highest score in T20 internationals.
In response, Netherlands innings faltered and never looked like challenging the total and were bowled out for only just 96 runs in 17.2 overs. Sebastian Brat top-scored with 26 runs and brought the team close to 100. For Nepal, Karan KC took three wickets, Sandeep Lamichhane and Kamal Singh took two wickets each and Abinash Bohra took one wicket.
The victory of 142 runs is the biggest victory of Nepal in terms of runs in T20 International and the biggest defeat for the Netherlands. In the tri-series, Kushal Bhurtel scored 278 runs and Sandeep Lamichhane took 13 wickets to be the top performers for Nepal.
Nepal Tri-Nation T20I Schedule (Local Timings)
17th April 2021: Netherlands vs Nepal – T20I (Scorecard)
18th April 2021: Malaysia vs Netherlands – T20I (Scorecard)
19th April 2021: Nepal vs Malaysia – T20I (Scorecard)
20th April 2021: Netherlands vs Nepal – T20I (Scorecard)
21st April 2021: Malaysia vs Netherlands – T20I (Scorecard)
22nd April 2021: Nepal vs Malaysia – T20I (Scorecard)
24th April 2021: Netherlands vs Nepal – T20I (Scorecard)
