On Friday, February 18, the Nepal cricket team stunned Oman at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground by defending a low score of 117 runs at the T20 World Cup qualifiers 2022. The fact that wicketkeeper Naseem Khushi was the only batter from Oman’s team to reach double digits, demonstrates Nepal’s bowling dominance in the match.
Earlier, Oman won the toss and opted to field. For Nepal, openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh scored 5 runs and 4 runs respectively. Khawar Ali caught both of them off Bilal Khan’s bowling.
Nepal start their #T20WorldCUp campaign on a winning note against Oman 👏 pic.twitter.com/BDpT72szql
— CricFit (@CricFit) February 18, 2022
Dipendra Singh Airee, who has been in good form, was dismissed by Oman captain Zeeshan Maqsood today for 11 runs. With 38 runs, Aarif Sheikh was Nepal’s top scorer. Lokesh Bam and captain Sandeep Lamichhane made some useful contributions to help Nepal post 117 runs on the board.
In reply, Oman never looked like chasing down the total. Nepal bowlers racked up some good pace to reduce the hosts to 35/6. Naseem Khushi played a valiant knock of 24 but lacked support from the other end as they fell 39 runs short.
Kamal Singh Airee was the pick of the bowlers, scalping three wickets while Lamichhane and Sandeep Singh Airee picked up two wickets apiece.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the victory:
Reminder to everyone. Sandeep isn't here to prove, he's here to deliver! #T20WorldCupQualifier #nepalcricket
— Sakar Sedhain (@Sakaronsport) February 18, 2022
What commitment in the field by Nepal. Its evident in that catch by #KushalBhurtel. #NepalCricket is showing desperation in the middle and mixing it with inspiration as well. This is a huge statement to all the other associate nations in this qualifiers. Nepal in it to win it.
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) February 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/justshree_/status/1494603621354606594?s=20&t=mNHdO168OxtwDIcLUAHyqw
With 117 on the board, most of us would've fancied Oman to chase this down way earlier than the 20th over but Nepal have ended up pulling out something incredible.
They bowl out Oman for just 78 giving them the perfect start to the #T20WorldCup Qualifier campaign.
— Amey Pethkar (@ameypethkar9) February 18, 2022
That's a fantastic win!!! 🥳🥳🥳@CricketNep #NepalvsOman
— Atul Baral 🇳🇵 (@Atul_Baral33) February 18, 2022
Mind-blowing victory. Congratulations, Nepal. #NepalVsOman
— Arun Budhathoki 🇳🇵 (@arunbudhathoki) February 18, 2022
Nepal begin with a bang in the T20 Qualifiers. They beat Oman by 39 runs. Oman have put up a very ordinary display. Nepal absolutely brilliant in the field. #Nepal #nepalcricket #NEPvOMN #nepali
— Mikkhail Vaswani (@MikkhailVaswani) February 18, 2022
Oman have been stunned by Nepal in the opening match of the #T20WorldCup qualifiers.
Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Airee and Kamal Singh are among the wickets as they register their first win in the competition. pic.twitter.com/mIOLf5Xb2v
— CricFit (@CricFit) February 18, 2022
Summary of Oman Vs Nepal pic.twitter.com/U8yVQmWCEr
— Samraat Maharjan (@MaharjanSamraat) February 18, 2022
Is this the 4th lowest total defended by Nepal in T20I?
Top 5:
1. Zimbabwe (105) vs WestIndies (2010)
2. WestIndies (113) vs England (2011)
3. South Africa (113) vs Sri Lanka (2013)
4. Nepal (117) vs Oman (2022) (Today)
5. Zimbabwe (118) vs Pakistan (2021)@CricketNep @cricnepal— Sandesh Rimal (@SandeshRimal11) February 18, 2022
Dipendra is turning out to be perfect 3D player for Nepal.
The reason India succeeded was because of likes of Raina and Yuvraj.
He is doing the same for Nepal. #NepalVsOman— Shishir Gautam (@ccrgautam38) February 18, 2022
Nepali Bowling ;
KS Airee – 3-0-15-3
DS Airee – 4-0-15-2
S Lamichhane – 4-0-20-2
J Mukhiya – 3-0-9-1
A Bohora – 3-0-11-1Whatta Bowling !! MAGIC 💥 & Amazing fielding ….#NepalCricket || #T20WCQ
— Samarpan Panta (@GPsomeArpan98) February 18, 2022
Nepal Wicketkeeper Displays ‘Spirit Of Cricket’ Against Ireland
A Quadrangular T20I series was recently held between Ireland, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. On 14th February, Ireland faced Nepal at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground. During the match, Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh’s gesture caught the attention of cricket fans.
Sheikh chose not to run out Ireland’s Andy McBrine, who fell on the ground after colliding with Nepal pacer Kamal Singh Airee, while attempting to take a single in the 19th over. Aasif was praised by the on-air commentators for maintaining the spirit of cricket.
Watch the video:
Hopefully this moment will win “ @ICC Spirit of the Year” award for @CricketNep. @CricketBadge was spot on with his comments in the commentary box.
A moment to cherish for @Sandeep25 . Well done #Cricket @cricketireland #OmanCricket @ICC @momocricket pic.twitter.com/FvqMTGnJO5
— Abhishek Shekhawat (@abhi07cricket) February 14, 2022
