Nepali cricketers celebrate after winning the third Group A match of World T20 against Afghanistan, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Bangladesh on Thursday‚ March 20‚ 2014. Photo Courtesy: ICC
KATHMANDU, Nepal– Nepal beat Afghanistan by 9 runs in a nail-biting match of ICC World T20 campaign on Thursday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
Nepal has also wrapped up its maiden preliminary round match on a high note beating traditional rival Afghanistan.
This is the first win for Nepal against Afghanistan in T20 Cricket in a decade. Nepal had not beaten Afghanistan in any format of the game after the 2004 ACC Trophy.
The victory in the group stage, however, could not secure Nepal a place in the Super 10 round as Bangladesh made progress despite losing to Hong Kong by two wickets in the group’s final match held at the same venue.
“This win is for our fans,” Nepali team Captain Paras Khadka said, after speaking at the end of the match. In fact, it was Nepal’s first win victory against Afghanistan in seven attempts. Khadks said Afghanistan was very good team and he was happy with how they played.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister Sushil Koirala have congratulated the Nepali national cricket team for their victory over its South Asian rival, Afghanistan
Yadav congratulated the national team after watching the entire game on television, all the while rooting for team Nepal, according to president press advisor Rajendra Dahal.
Similarly, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and top leaders of the major political parties also congratulated Nepali cricket team for their historical success. Prime Minister Koirala called Nepali skipper Paras Khadka after the match and conveyed his congratulatory message to him and his team.