Bangladesh defeats Nepal by 21 runs, Nepal exits World Cup without victories

KATHMANDU: In the final group stage match of the 9th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, Nepal faced a 21-run defeat against Bangladesh.

Chasing a target of 107 set by Bangladesh, Nepal was bowled out for 88 in 19.2 overs.

For Nepal, Kushal Malla was the top scorer with 27 runs off 40 balls, which included one boundary and one six.

He formed a 52-run partnership with Dipendra Singh Airee, who added 25 runs.

Aasif Sheikh also contributed with 17 runs, but the remaining batsmen failed to reach double figures.

Bangladesh’s Tanzim Hasan Sakib took four wickets, Mustafizur Rahman claimed three, Shakib Al Hasan took two, and Taskin Ahmed secured one.

Earlier, after losing the toss and being invited to bat first at Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent, Bangladesh was all out for 106 in 19.3 overs. Shakib Al Hasan scored 17, while Mahmudullah and Rashid Hossain each made 13.

Zakir Ali added 12, and Liton Das scored 10 runs.

For Nepal, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, Rohit Kumar Paudel, and Dipendra Singh Airee each took two wickets.

Nepal also secured two wickets through run-outs. Following a competitive match on Saturday, Nepal was already out of the Super-8 race after a narrow one-run defeat against South Africa.

Nepal ended the group stage without a single victory.

In the third match, Nepal lost to South Africa by one run.

The first match saw Nepal defeated by the Netherlands by six wickets, while the second match against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to rain.