Since gaining an ODI status during Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, Nepal has played 57 ODI matches after the completion of the next edition of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2023.
Team Nepal has achieved victory in 30 matches, experienced defeat on 25 occasions, encountered one tied match and had one match abandoned due to rain.
Six different players have achieved the milestone of scoring a century, with each player reaching the triple-figure once only. Additionally, a total of 58 half-centuries have been recorded, with 16 different players reaching the feat.
Numerous records have been established, and significant milestones have been reached up until this point. Here, we will be examining the highest scores achieved by Nepali batters in each batting position from 1 to 11.
Batting position No. 1 – 115 runs by Kushal Bhurtel
Undoubtedly, Kushal Bhurtel holds the record for the highest score while batting at the number one position. Out of the 43 innings he has played, Bhurtel has batted outside of the number-one position only six times. His only century in ODI (115 runs), which came against Namibia on February 2023 at TU Cricket Ground, is the highest score, batting at number one.
Batting position No. 2 – 110 runs by Aasif Sheikh
It comes as no surprise that Aasif Sheikh holds the record for the highest score while batting at the number two position. Sheikh’s first century (110 runs) was achieved batting at no. Two against PNG at TU Cricket Ground in March 2023. Out of the 41 innings he has played, Sheikh has batted at number two 40 times and at number three once.
Batting position No. 3 – 115 runs by Paras Khadka
Former captain Paras Khadka, despite making significant contributions to Nepal Cricket, had a relatively short ODI career, participating in only ten matches before bidding farewell to the game. His 115-run knock against UAE on January 2019 at ICCA Dubai helped Nepal win the first-ever ODI series. This is also the only ton scored by Nepalese batters outside Nepal and the highest score batting at number three.
Batting position No. 4 – 106 runs by Dipendra Singh Airee
Dipendra Singh Airee is the second player (after Rohit Paudel) to play 50 ODI matches for Nepal. Airee batted at number four and sometimes at five till mid-2022. Currently, the star all-rounder is Nepal’s asset in the lower order. His 105 against PNG on March 2022 is the highest score batting at number four.
Batting position No. 5 – 126 runs by Rohit Paudel
Rohit Paudel holds the record for the highest individual score by a Nepali batter in ODI. He became the second player to score a century in ODI for Nepal, breaking the three-year century drought since Paras Khadka’s landmark century. Although batting at number four most of the time, His 107-ball 126 against PNG on March 2022 at TU Ground, batting at number five.
Batting position No. 6 – 108 runs by Kushal Malla
Kushal Malla’s Century has to be one of the finest inning Nepalese batters ever played. Coming to bat at no. Six, while his side was in a challenging situation of 72/4, Malla notched up the quickest-ever ton by Nepali batter to rescue Nepal. His 108-run knock smacking ten sixes against Oman during the ACC Premier Cup 2023 is the biggest score for Nepal by number six batter.
Batting position No. 7 – 85* runs by Dipendra Singh Airee
Dipendra Singh Airee is the only repeated name on the list. Nepal were struggling with 77/5 against Scotland when Airee stepped in at number seven. He then shared a century stand with Kushal Malla for the sixth wicket, 43 runs with Gulshan Jha for the seventh and an unbeaten 55 runs with Sompal Kami for the eighth to win it for Nepal. Airee scored composed 85* to help Nepal win by three wickets in a crucial CWC League 2 match.
Batting position No. 8 – 63* runs by Sompal Kami
Apart from his fierce bowling, Sompal Kami is known for valuable runs down the order. He played a significant role to help Nepal register a first-ever 300+ total in ODI. Nepal still had 79 runs to score from the last nine overs after the dismissal of Kushal Malla, hammering a blistering ton. Sompal Kami scored 63* runs from 48 balls to help Nepal pile up 310 runs on the board. His brilliant knock against Oman in the ACC Premier Cup 2023 is the highest score by a Nepalese batter at number eight.
Batting position No. 9 – 57* runs by Gulshan Jha
Nepal’s emerging all-rounder Gulshan Jha has been frequently seen batting at the number eight position in nine out of 18 innings. However, he is used as per the scenario of the match, and his ability to contribute crucial runs has proven invaluable in rescuing Nepal on multiple occasions. Jha has already scored three half-centuries. He recently scored a terrific 57* against Ireland in the World Cup Qualifier 2023. Notably, this impressive inning was played at the number nine position, marking the highest score ever achieved from that batting position
Batting position No. 10 – 31* runs by Karan KC
We have seen many Karan KC special inning at the tail. KC has played electrifying knocks numerous times to help Nepal hike their total at the end. His 31* against Scotland in the must-win CWC League 2 match is the highest score by a Nepali batter, at number ten. Nepal were 61/5 and then 138/8 while chasing 213 runs. KC and Rohit Paudel then shared an unbeaten 75 runs for the ninth wicket to help Nepal win by two wickets. Skipper Paudel scored 95* runs to ensure Nepal’s triumph.
Batting position No. 11 – 26* runs by Sandeep Lamichhane
Sandeep Lamichhane is often seen batting at number nine and ten and sometimes 11 as well. Lately, He has been brilliant with the bat and has produced six 20+ run knocks (in last nine innings). He also showcased a remarkable batting performance in a recent World Cup Qualifier 2023. Lamichhane’s 26*, batting at number 11 against UAE on March 2023 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, is the highest score in that position. He was the second-highest scorer in Nepal’s 68-run defeat after being bowled out for 139.
Sandeep Poudel tweets at @PietersenSandip
