Nepal's Historic Triumph: Rewriting Cricket's Record Books at the 2023 Asian Games**

 Match of Nepal vs Mongolia  2023  at China

In the annals of cricket history, some moments shine brighter than the rest, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. The 2023 Asian Games witnessed one such extraordinary moment when Nepal faced Mongolia in a T20 international match, and in doing so, Nepal etched their name in the record books. In this blog, we relive the spectacular journey of Nepal's historic game against Mongolia, a match that rewrote the records and showcased the brilliance of Nepal's cricket team.

**A Record-Breaking Feast**

In a display of sheer cricketing prowess, Nepal became the first men's team ever to breach the 300-run mark in a T20 international. The momentous occasion took place in Hangzhou, China, where Nepal's batsmen bludgeoned their way to a staggering 314 for three in their allotted 20 overs. This incredible feat surpassed the previous record of 278 for three set by Afghanistan against Ireland in 2019.

**Kushal Malla: A Century in the Blink of an Eye**

At the forefront of this breathtaking batting display was Kushal Malla, who batted at number three and proceeded to create history. Malla delivered the fastest T20 international century, achieving the milestone in a mere 34 balls. His blazing innings featured a remarkable 12 sixes and eight fours, all at an astonishing strike rate of 274. To add to his incredible feat, Malla became the second youngest batter to score a century in men's T20Is, achieving this at the tender age of 19 years and 206 days.

**Dipendra Singh Airee: A Remarkable Finish**

Malla's explosive century set the stage, but the fireworks didn't stop there. Dipendra Singh Airee took up the mantle and finished the innings in spectacular fashion against the Mongolian bowlers. Airee's unbeaten 52 off just 10 balls included an astounding eight sixes. He reached his half-century in a world-record time, taking only nine balls to achieve the feat. This feat surpassed the previous record held by India's Yuvraj Singh, who took 12 balls to reach his half-century in 2007 against England.

**Mongolia's Valiant Effort**

In contrast to Nepal's record-breaking performance, Mongolia's cricketing journey in the Asian Games faced a challenging phase. Nonetheless, their participation in the event marked a significant step in their cricketing development.

The Mongolian team, whose women's side had faced a daunting challenge earlier in the tournament, was dismissed for a total of 41 runs.

**A Historic Game of Records**

The Nepal vs. Mongolia T20 international became a record-breaking spree, leaving cricket enthusiasts in awe. Here is a list of all the records that tumbled during this remarkable match:

1. Highest score in men's T20 internationals: 314-3.
2. Fastest T20 international century: 34 balls.
3. Fastest T20 international half-century: Nine balls.
4. Most sixes in an innings: 26.
5. Biggest winning margin by runs: 273.
6. Highest strike rate in an innings of 10 balls or more: 520.

**An Enduring Legacy**

This historic match showcased the true spirit of cricket—excellence, sportsmanship, and the ability to shatter records while respecting the game's traditions. Nepal's exceptional performance will be remembered as a testament to their talent, dedication, and passion for cricket, inspiring future generations and leaving an enduring legacy in the world of sports. It serves as a reminder that in the world of cricket, remarkable achievements can be realized when talent meets determination, and dreams are turned into reality. Nepal's historic triumph at the 2023 Asian Games is a chapter that will forever be celebrated in the rich tapestry of cricket history, reminding us all that in this sport, the extraordinary is always within reach.