Nepal Claims Convincing Victory Against Ireland ‘A’ in T20 Series Opener

In a thrilling showdown at the TU International Cricket Ground, Nepal showcased their prowess by clinching a commanding victory over Ireland ‘A’ in the first match of the two-match T20 series. The hosts sealed the win with six wickets to spare, reaffirming their cricketing dominance on Monday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Ireland ‘A’ struggled to find their footing, succumbing to pressure from Nepal’s bowlers. Despite a valiant effort from Stephen Doheny, who notched up 46 runs from 39 balls, Ireland ‘A’ could only muster a total of 121 runs before being bowled out in the allotted 20 overs.

Nepal’s bowling attack showcased remarkable precision with Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulshan Jha, and Kushal Bhurtel each claiming two wickets, while Karan KC and Kushal Malla added one wicket each to their tally.

In pursuit of victory, Nepal’s batting lineup showed resilience despite a few early setbacks. Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, and Gulshan Jha departed in quick succession, but Sandeep Jora and Kushal Bhurtel anchored the innings with steady knocks. Bhurtel’s unbeaten 37 and Jora’s composed 36 steered Nepal towards victory, with Dipendra Singh Airee contributing an unbeaten 20 to seal the win.

Gareth Delany led Ireland’s bowling attack with two crucial wickets, supported by Ben White and Thomas Mayes with a wicket apiece.

With this commanding win under their belt, Nepal braces for the second showdown against Ireland ‘A’ on Tuesday, eager to maintain their winning momentum and secure another triumph on home turf.