Kirtipur, Nepal: Namibia put on a dominant display with both bat and ball to secure a convincing 20-run victory over Nepal in the opening match of the Nepal T20I Tri-Series at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground.

Namibia’s Batting Blitz Sets the Tone:

Opting to bat first, Namibia amassed a daunting total of 207 runs in their 20 overs. Opener Nicol Lofty-Eaton stole the show with a magnificent century, while Malan Kruger provided crucial support with an unbeaten 59-run knock. The duo stitched together an essential 135-run partnership for the third wicket, laying the foundation for Namibia’s substantial total. Nepal’s bowlers, led by skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel’s two wickets, struggled to contain the flow of runs.

Nepal’s Chase Falters Despite Fighting Spirit:

Chasing a stiff target, Nepal’s batting order faced an uphill battle from the outset. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Sheikh departed cheaply, putting the team on the back foot early. Captain Rohit Paudel (42) and Kushal Malla (32) offered glimpses of hope with their contributions, but wickets fell at regular intervals, hindering Nepal’s progress. Dipendrasingh Airee’s late flourish of 48 runs briefly threatened to revive the chase, but Ruben Trumpelman’s four-wicket haul for Namibia extinguished Nepal’s hopes.

Namibia’s Bowling Dominates:

Trumpelman’s four wickets led a disciplined bowling performance from Namibia. Bernard Scholtz, Jan Freilink, and Jannay Lofty Eaton chipped in with two wickets, restricting Nepal’s scoring opportunities.

Nepal Looks Ahead to Next Challenge:

With this defeat, Nepal will look to regroup and bounce back in their next match against the Netherlands on Wednesday. This high-scoring encounter has set the tone for an exciting tri-series, and both teams will be determined to showcase their skills in the remaining fixtures.