Nepal’s cricketers roared into the SMS Friendship Cup Twenty20 with a clinical eight-wicket demolition of the Gujarat Cricket Association in Vapi on Sunday. The visitors chased down a paltry 99-run target with supreme ease, sealing the victory in just 15.1 overs.

Skipper Rohit Kumar Poudel led from the front with an unbeaten 33, while Anil Kumar Sah provided solidity with an unbeaten 32. Kushal Bhurtel (17) and Asif Sheikh (16) chipped in with valuable contributions as Nepal’s batting made light work of the chase. Gujarat’s bowlers, Hemang Patel and Tejas Patel, picked up a consolation wicket, but the damage had already been done.

Earlier, Gujarat was put into bat and bundled out for a meagre 98 runs in 18.2 overs. Their batting crumbled under relentless pressure from Nepal’s bowling attack. Rudr Patel’s gritty 23 and Hemang Patel’s valiant 20 were all they could muster. Saral Prajapati, Abhishek Desai, and Smit Patel offered some resistance with cameos, but it wasn’t enough.

Gulsan Jha spearheaded Nepal’s bowling charge, grabbing a four-wicket haul for just 22 runs in four overs. Karan KC (three wickets) and Sompal Kami (one wicket) provided excellent support, leaving the Gujarat batsmen with nowhere to hide.

This dominant victory sets the stage for Tuesday’s mouthwatering clash against Baroda Cricket Association. Nepal will be brimming with confidence as it looks to build on this impressive start and maintain its winning streak in the tournament.