Nepal’s campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup came to a premature end on Monday as they lost by 21 runs to the bowl-out Bangladesh at the Amos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent. This elimination affirmed their failure to go through to the other round, for Bangladesh secured a slot in the Super 8.

The goal was to score 107 runs to achieve for the Nepalese team. Kushal Malla (27) and Asif Sheikh (17) bat cautiously, and a steady stream of wickets began to throw sand into the engine. Dipendrasingh Airee’s 25 ensured some hope, but Nepal folded for 85 in 19.2 overs. Overcoming Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Tanjim Hasan Saqib, who got four wickets, was too much for the Nepalese. Mustafizur Rahman added three wickets, Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed, the rest of them.

Earlier, after deciding to bat, Bangladesh were also limited to scoring a subpar 106 runs for the fall of wickets. Once again, Shakib Al Hasan emerged as the highest scorer for his team, scoring 17 runs to the opponent’s total; Rashid Hossain scored only 13, Muhammadullah scored 13, and Taskin Ahmed scored only 12* for Bangladesh. As expected, the Nepal bowling was steadfast and disciplined. Kami, Paudel, and Airi took two wickets each, and Lamichhane joined them.

The Nepal team faced tough competition in the group stage. In the first game against the Netherlands, they lost by six wickets. The third game saw a near-miracle when South Africa defeated Nepal by one run, showcasing the fierce contest in the group. Unfortunately, luck was not on Nepal’s side, and the rain during the match against Sri Lanka further dampened their qualification possibilities.

While Nepal’s journey in the ICC T20 World Cup ended without a victory, they showed promise and spirit in their matches against well-settled teams. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a valuable learning curve for the future Nepali team, filled with budding talent. As they set their sights on their next victory on the international stage, the team remains hopeful and determined.