Kushal Bhurtel's 126 Fires Nepal to Victory
Nepal
275/7 (20)
Malaysia
108/9 (20)
NEP won by 167 runs
View full scorecard →Nepal have won by 167 runs. Nepal batted first and posted 275/7 in 20 overs. Malaysia, chasing 276, fell short at 108/9 in 20 overs.
Kushal Bhurtel was the standout in the first innings, scoring 126 off 54 balls (SR 233). 8 sixes and 14 fours provided the impetus. The powerplay yielded 95 runs.
Syed Aziz fought hard with 54 off 45 balls, but it was not enough to haul Malaysia over the line. The required rate climbed too steeply in the end.
With the ball, Sher Malla delivered figures of 3/14 in 4 overs (Econ 3.5). Crucial breakthroughs at key moments that shifted the momentum.
MAL lead the series 9-4. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.
The Turning Point
Over 6 of the first innings was the inflection point — 27 runs came off it, shifting the momentum and setting the stage for a total that ultimately proved too much.
Key Performers
126 off 54 balls (SR 233), 14 fours, 8 sixes
3/14 in 4 overs (Econ: 3.50)
68 off 24 balls (SR 283), 5 fours, 7 sixes
Verdict
Nepal showed composure when it mattered most and deserve this victory. Malaysia were outplayed in all departments. A 167 runs defeat lays bare the gaps in their game — the batting lacked application and the bowling had no answers. Plenty of hard conversations ahead of the next match. MAL lead the series 9-4. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.