Revisiting the highest team scores posted by Nepal’s all-action batters

Still regarded as minnows from cricket, the Nepal national cricket team has been on the rise for some time now and are eager to establish themselves as a powerhouse in Asian cricket, at least in the T20 format.

While they still have a long way to go in terms of measuring up against Asian heavyweights like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, Nepal boast several top talents in their current crop of players and they will be keen to help the team go to the next level in the T20 format.

Governed by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), the Rhinos or Gurkhas as they are fondly known have been an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1996 and are currently ranked 17th in the T20I team rankings.

They received Twenty20 International or T20I status from the ICC in June 2014 and also got One Day International (ODI) status in 2018.

After receiving T20 status a decade back, they have gone on to play more than 80 T20 games so far and have a win percentage of over 50.

Over the last decade, Nepal has had its fair share of success in the 20-over format and have finished as runners-up in the 2023 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier.

Nepal also featured in the 2014 edition of the T20 World Cup and are competing in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and the West Indies.

A team that is blessed with quality batters capable of wreaking havoc on their day, Nepal have managed to post a total of 200-plus on more than 10 occasions.

Interestingly, the highest-ever total in T20Is is made by the Asian minnows and here we have a look at some of Nepal’s highest scores in T20.

Nepal highest score in T20

Nepal vs Mongolia | 314/3

Nepal registered both their own as well as the highest T20I total by any team when they squared off against Mongolia in the Asian Games Men's Cricket Competition in 2023. After being asked to bat first, an unbeaten 50-ball 137 by Kushal Malla coupled with fifties by skipper Rohit Paudel (61) and Dipendra Singh Airee (52) helped Nepal post a mammoth total of 314/3 against Mongolia - the highest score by a team in T20s. In reply, Mongolia were bundled out for a mere 41 as Nepal secured a commanding 273-run victory.  

Nepal vs Netherlands | 238/3

During a Tri-Nation T20I Series in Nepal in 2021, the host nation posted 238/3 against the Netherlands in what was the final of the tournament. Put into bat by the Dutch, Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel led from the front as he scored 77 off 53 balls to build the foundation for a huge total for his team. Later, the likes of Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with 50 and 48 respectively to propel Nepal to 238/3 after 20 overs. In the second innings, Nepal’s bowlers were on top from the start and skittled out the Netherlands for 96 in 17.2 overs to set up a comprehensive 142-run win and clinch the final.

Nepal vs Bhutan | 236/3

The South Asian Games Men's Cricket Competition in 2019 saw Nepal post yet another big score after being asked to bat first by Bhutan. Then skipper Gyanendra Malla smashed 107 off 55 balls, while the likes of Paras Khadka made 57 in 28 deliveries and Dipendra Singh Airee scored an unbeaten 27-ball 45 to help his side post 236/3. During the chase, Bhutan struggled to get going and were restricted to 96/6 as Nepal registered a 141-run victory.

Photo credit: Alamy