Asian Games Men’s T20I, 2023 |1st Quarter Final |10/3/2023 ZJUT Cricket Field. Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Commentary
Right then, that’s it from this game but the action continues in the Asian Games, 2023. Pakistan will take on Hong Kong in the second quarter-final. That game will begin at 11.30 am IST (6.00 am GMT). But as you know, you can join in early for the build-up. Take care and cheers!
Earlier today, India made a formidable 202 for 4 after opting to bat first. Yashasvi Jaiswal slammed a brilliant hundred while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shivam Dube also made handy scores. Rinku Singh played a quickfire cameo of 37* off 15 to close out the innings and take India beyond 200. Dipendra Singh Airee was the pick of the Nepalese bowlers with 2 for 31 in his spell while Sompal Kami chipped in with one. Nepal showed some fight with the bat but India were too strong for them.
Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi were the pick of Indian bowlers with three wickets each while Arshdeep Singh chipped in with 2 scalps. Sai Kishore picked up the solitary wicket of Kushal Bhurtel and was fairly economical on his debut. The lower order of Nepal gave some scares but India was always in the driver's seat. A fine win makes way for the Indians to progress through to the semis.
A pretty convincing win for the Indian team who beat Nepal by 23 runs in this first quarter-final of the Asian Games, 2023. Chasing a mammoth 203 for the win, Nepal got off to a decent start with Kushal Bhurtel slamming a couple of boundaries early on. Kushal Malla also looked good in his stay as he pummelled a few maximums. Dipendra Singh Airee and Sundeep Jora entertained the crowd for a while as the duo powered 61 off just 27 balls between them with seven biggies. Karan KC hammered a few sixes at the back end and lessened the margin of the loss. Nepal will be fairly happy with their effort but will want to keep getting better on the international stage.
19.6
6
Shivam Dube to Karan KC, SIX! Karan KC gets the big hit away eventually but Nepal fall short here. Slower delivery, on the shorter side and around off, Karan waits on the back foot and swats it away over cow corner for a biggie. India win by 23 runs!
19.5
0
Shivam Dube to Karan KC, Keeps it nice and full and outside off, yet another heave across the line from Karan KC and he connects only with thin air.
19.4
0
Shivam Dube to Karan KC, Another swing and a miss and four dots on the trot as well. Very full and angled across the off stump, Karan KC looks to go across the line but misses.
19.3
0
Shivam Dube to Karan KC, Very full and around off, Karan KC stays deep and rills it off the toe end of the bat back to the bowler.
19.2
0
Shivam Dube to Karan KC, Full and wide, angling across, Karan KC swings across the line but misses.
19.1
0
Shivam Dube to Karan KC, Comes from around the wicket and bowls a yorker on middle, Karan KC just about manages to keep it out.
END OF OVER 19 | 11 Runs & 1 Wkt | NEP 173/9
Abinash Bohara is the new man in.
18.6
W
Avesh Khan to Sandeep Lamichhane, OUT! CAUGHT! Hard length over middle, Sandeep Lamichhane stays deep in his crease and lifts it high toward long on. Lamichhane doesn't get much timing on it, just the elevation and Sai Kishore settles under it to take a good catch. India just a wicket away from victory now.
18.5
1
Avesh Khan to Karan KC, A low full toss outside off, pushed away down to long off for a single.
18.4
0
Avesh Khan to Karan KC, Slower one, outside off, Karan KC goes hard at it but misses.
18.3
4
Avesh Khan to Karan KC, EDGED AND FOUR! Short ball, the pace is taken off the ball a bit, Karan KC looks to pull but gets a top edge over the keeper's head for a boundary.
18.2
6
Avesh Khan to Karan KC, SIX! Avesh Khan misses his mark and Karan KC punishes him. Full and straight but in the slot, Karan KC smokes it down the ground for a maximum.
18.1
0
Avesh Khan to Karan KC, Slower one, full and around off, Karan KC swings and misses.
END OF OVER 18 | 6 Runs & 0 Wkt | NEP 162/8
17.6
4
Arshdeep Singh to Sandeep Lamichhane, FOUR! Oh, dear! That is a howler from Ravi Bishnoi. Full and straight, chipped away down to long on where Bishnoi runs around to his left and overruns the ball, conceding a four.
17.5
0
Arshdeep Singh to Sandeep Lamichhane, Slower one, on a shorter length and outside off, Sandeep Lamichhane looks to pull but is beaten all ends up.
17.4
1
Arshdeep Singh to Karan KC, Very full on middle, hit away down to long on for a single.
17.3
0
Arshdeep Singh to Karan KC, Around the hips, nudged away toward short fine leg. Sandeep Lamichhane at the bowler's end, wants the run and has to go back halfway through. Avesh Khan has time but misses the shy at the non-striker's end.
17.2
1
Arshdeep Singh to Sandeep Lamichhane, Shorter and slower around off, Sandeep Lamichhane keeps it down in front of covers for a quick single.