Nepal clinches SMS Friendship Cup title
Nepal won the series by defeating Gujarat by 18 runs in the final.
KATHMANDU: Nepal has won the title of ‘SMS Friendship Cup’ held in India.
Earlier, Nepal had won three out of four matches in the league stage and reached the finals as winners.
Nepal clinched the SMS Friendship Cup T20 cricket tournament title with a thrilling victory over the home team, Gujarat.
In the final match on Sunday, Nepal secured an 18-run win, defending their total of 177 runs against Gujarat, who managed 158 runs while losing 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Gujarat’s captain, Umang Rohit Kumar, top-scored with 40 runs, displaying a valiant effort with 2 fours and 2 sixes off 28 balls. Arya Desai contributed 36 runs, Rudra Mayur Patel added 17, while Jaymeet Patel and Harsh Desai were dismissed for 15 runs each. Kashyap Prajapati and Jai Yuvraj Singh remained unbeaten, scoring 10 runs apiece.
Nepal’s Avinash Bohra proved to be the star bowler, claiming 3 crucial wickets. Dipendra Singh Airey took 2 wickets, while Kushal Malla and Karan KC chipped in with a wicket each.
Earlier in the game, Nepal won the toss at Sai Meghpan Sports Lais Vapi and elected to bat first. Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel led from the front, scoring an impressive 74 runs off 47 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes. Opener Aasif Sheikh contributed 34 runs off 34 balls, forming a crucial partnership of 77 runs with Paudel for the second wicket.
Kushal Bhurtel managed 19 runs, while Dipendra Singh Airey and Kushal Malla scored 7 and 31 runs respectively. Sandeep Zora remained unbeaten on 7 runs.
Gujarat’s bowlers, Shane Patel, Tejas Patel, and Jala Yuvraj Singh, each claimed a wicket to try to contain Nepal’s batting onslaught. H
owever, their efforts fell short as Nepal emerged victorious, securing the coveted title in a memorable final match.
