Nepal no match for Ireland seamers

BELFAST: The raucous chants of “Ne - PAL! Ne - PAL!” from traveling fans that came out to support their beloved team in one of Group A’s most anticipated showdowns were quickly silenced by Ireland’s seam attack who ripped through the Nepal line-up, dismissing them for 53 in an eight-wicket demolition at Stormont.
It was Nepal’s lowest total in T20 cricket with the previous worst coming in a loss to Netherlands on July 1 when they were bowled out for 69, though they made 68 for 9 in a match reduced to 16 overs against Afghanistan in December 2011. Nepal’s 53 is lowest total ever at World Twenty20 Qualifier and second lowest in all T20 Internationals behind Netherlands 39 vs Sri Lanka at 2014 World Twenty20.
Ireland made the most of the toss on a wet day, sending Nepal in. After a confident start to reach 18 off two overs, Alex Cusack’s wicket maiden in the third started the procession back to the pavilion. Cusack claimed Anil Mandal with a leading edge to Kevin O’Brien at mid off for 2.
John Mooney’s fantastic tournament continued with a wicket each in the fourth and sixth overs to peg Nepal back by the end of the Powerplay. Pradeep Airee was trapped in front missing a flick for a golden duck while Sagar Pun fell into a trap set at short cover, driving hard to Stuart Thompson at knee height for 20.
Gyanendra Malla was dropped down to five for this match in a strategic move to keep him back for Ireland’s spinners, who never came into the attack. He pulled tamely off O’Brien to give Thompson another catch at midwicket in the circle for 2. Paras Khadka was the only player besides Pun to reach double-figures, making 10 before Craig Young knocked back his off stump to make it 38 for 5 in the ninth.