The Nepalese national cricket team faced an eight-wicket defeat against Zimbabwe in the World Cup Qualifier 2023 Opener. The host easily chased the target of 291 runs in 44.1 overs, losing just a couple of wickets in the process.
Nepal were brilliant with the bat posting 291 runs at the end of 50 overs. However, They definitely were 20-30 runs short with the start Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh yielded. Nevertheless, It was a good display against the home team.
Here are a few of the new records set by the Nepalese side despite a defeat:
First-ever 150+ partnership
Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh added 171 runs for the first wicket. This was also the first instance the Nepalese batting duo shared a 150+ partnership. Before this, 139 was the highest partnership by Nepalese batters.
Highest ever partnership for any wicket
Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh added 171 runs for the first wicket, which is the highest partnership for Nepal in ODI for any wicket. The previous best was 139 runs by Gyanendra Malla and Aasif Sheikh against Namibia in February 2023. This was also the third 100 runs partnership by Sheikh and Bhurtel in ODI.
Highest ODI total outside Nepal
290 scored by Nepal was the country’s third-highest total in the format. More specifically, This was the highest total scored by Nepal outside the home soil. The previous best was 274 against USA in June 2022 at Pearland during CWC League 2.
Most fifties for Nepal in ODI
Aasif Sheikh scored his ninth half-century in ODI. He left behind Rohit Paudel (8) to become the batter with the most half-centuries for Nepal in ODI. Sheikh scored 66 from 100 balls with seven fours.
First Nepali batter to be dismissed for 99
Kushal Bhurtel missed his well-deserved century by just one run. He became the first Nepali batter to be dismissed for 99 (ODI or T20I). He smacked 13 fours and two sixes in his 95-ball knock.
Sandeep Lamichhane’s record-breaking wicket-taking streak also ended after 33 matches.
