SMS Friendship Cup: Nepal wins title by defeating Gujarat

KATHMANDU, April 7: Nepal won the title in the final of the SMS Friendship Cup T20 match, securing the title with an 18-run win over Gujarat.

Chasing a target of 177 runs, Gujarat managed to score only 158 runs, losing 8 wickets in 20 overs. Gujarat's captain, Umang Rohit Kumar, contributed 40 runs off 28 balls, including 2 fours and 2 sixes.

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Arya Desai scored 36 off 24 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, while Rudra Patel, Jaymit Patel, and Harsh Desai added 17 runs each. Abhinash Bohara of Nepal claimed 3 wickets for 26 runs in 4 overs, while Dipendra Singh Airee took 2 wickets conceding 13 runs in 4 overs.

Karan KC and Kushal Malla also contributed with 1 wicket each. Earlier, Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first, posting a total of 176 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs. Nepal's captain, Rohit Paudel, played a stellar innings, scoring 74 runs off 47 balls, including 5 fours and 4 sixes.

Opener Asif Sheikh contributed 34 runs off 34 balls with 2 fours and 1 six, while Kushal Bhurtel was dismissed for 19 runs off 21 balls. Kushal Malla smashed 31 runs off 13 balls, including 2 fours and 2 sixes, and Sandeep Jora remained unbeaten with 7 runs.

Dipendra Singh Airee was dismissed for 7 runs. Sneh Patel, Tejas Patel, Jaymit Patel, and Yuvraj Singh of Gujarat took 1 wicket each.