Nepali batters’ highest individual scores against all ten ODI opponents

After playing 57 ODI games, 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.

Numerous records have been established, and significant milestones have been reached up until this point. Nepal has faced ten different opponents in the format so far. Hence, we will be examining the highest individual score by Nepali batters against all ten opponents. 

PNG – 126 runs by Rohit Paudel

Rohit Paudel scored 126 runs against PNG at the TU Cricket Ground on March 2022. Despite his ton, Nepal faced a six-run loss in that match, chasing a target of 293. Paudel’s innings of 126 stands as the highest score achieved by a Nepali batter and remains the top individual score in a losing cause.

UAE – 115 by Paras Khadka

Paras Khadka picked up two wickets in the first inning and scored a magnificent 115 as Nepal chased 255 runs with 32 balls spare against UAE in January 2019 at ICCA Dubai. Khadka’s brilliance helped Nepal win the first-ever ODI series despite losing the first match. It is worth noting that Khadka’s century remains the only instance of a Nepalese batter scoring a century away from home in ODIs.

Namibia – 115 by Kushal Bhurtel

In a thrilling chase against Namibia at TU Cricket Ground, Kushal Bhurtel was the star, scoring a magnificent 115 runs off 113 balls to achieve his maiden century. Nepal secured a tense two-wicket victory. Thanks to Bhurtel’s brilliant performance. Adding to the team’s success, Rohit Paudel played a crucial role, forming a crucial partnership of 133 runs with Bhurtel for the third wicket.

Oman – 108 by Kushal Malla

Nepal played their 50th ODI match against Oman, and they were in a pitiful situation of Zero for two (later 72/4). Kushal Malla then rescued Nepal with an electrifying 64-ball 108 runs. Nepal went on to post 310. Malla completed his ton in 59 balls, setting a new record for the fastest ODI century by a Nepali batter.

Zimbabwe – 99 by Kushal Bhurtel

In the opening match of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2023, Nepal took on Zimbabwe in their first-ever ODI encounter against a Test-playing nation. Kushal Bhurtel’s batting performance was nothing short of exceptional, but unfortunately, his brilliant innings came to a heart-wrenching end when he was dismissed for 99 runs. This marked the first instance of a Nepali batter being dismissed on 99 in either an ODI or a T20I match. Notably, Bhurtel also added a record-breaking  171-run partnership with Aasif Sheikh during the game.

Scotland – 95* by Rohit Paudel

Rohit Paudel’s 95* will be remembered for a long as one of the best non-century inning. Chasing 213 runs, Nepal were 138/8 against Scotland in a crucial CWC League 2 match. It seemed like all hope was lost. However, the young and composed captain, Rohit Paudel, displayed nerves of steel and accomplished a brilliant comeback. He added 75* runs with Karan KC (31*) for the ninth wicket to win it for his side.

USA – 84 by Kushal Bhurtel

Kushal Bhurtel has once again made it to the list, this time with a solid 84 against the USA at Al Amerat in September 2021. In the match, Nepal successfully chased down a target of 231 with six balls to spare. What makes his innings even more remarkable is the fact that he achieved this score with just three sixes and three fours, surprising everyone with his ability to accumulate runs efficiently without relying heavily on boundaries.

West Indies – 63 by Aarif Sheikh

During the CWC Qualifier 2023 match against West Indies, Nepal encountered a 101-run defeat. The West Indies team set a formidable score of 339 runs, and at one point, Nepal found themselves struggling at 129/6, facing a potential collapse. However, Aarif Sheikh displayed great composure and skill, leading a resilient fightback for Nepal with his composed innings of 63 runs. Additionally, Gulshan Jha and Karan KC contributed with crucial runs down the batting order as Nepal managed 238 runs on the board.

Netherlands – 61 by Sompal Kami

Nepal has played three ODIs against their first-ever opponent – the Netherlands. Surprisingly, Sompal Kami holds the record for the highest score against the Dutch Side. Kami arrived in the crease at 135/6 (after the dismissal of Paras Khadka for 51) and scored 61 runs to help Nepal post 216 runs. Nepal’s registered a dramatic last-over one-run win in that match.

Ireland – 57* by Gulshan Jha

Gulshan Jha has proven himself to be a valuable asset and a rescue figure for the Nepalese team. His ability to take crucial wickets when required and his contributions with the bat down the order makes him a vital player. Jha scored 42-ball 57* against Ireland in the seventh-place playoff of CWC 2023 to help Nepal post 268 from the position of 169/7. This was his third half-century in ODI.

Also Read:

• Highest partnership by Nepali batters for different wickets in both ODI and T20I
• The most prolific wicket-takers against Nepal in ODI