Who will be key for Nepal with the bat at T20 World Cup 2024?

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has arguably been the best edition in history for how unpredictable and competitive it has turned out. The pitches in the United States of America and West Indies have been bowling-friendly, ensuring weaker teams put up a better fight.

The tournament has witnessed some mind-blowing results with the USA beating Pakistan, Canada getting past Ireland and Afghanistan smashing New Zealand. Former champions England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as New Zealand could be knocked out in the first round and that shows the volatile nature of this tournament.

Today we take a look at the contenders who could be the key batter for Nepal in the T20 World Cup 2024. Nepal, playing their second T20 World Cup, are a part of Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Netherlands.

Nepal have one point to their credit after two games in the group stage, courtesy of an abandoned game against Sri Lanka. They will have to beat both Bangladesh and South Africa in their remaining matches to have a shot at reaching the Super Eight stage. While their task seems pretty hard, crazier things have been happening in the tournament.

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Nepal’s fixtures

Check out Nepal’s four fixtures in Group D below.

• Nepal vs Netherlands – Dallas, Texas – Tuesday, 4th June
• Nepal vs Sri Lanka – Lauderhill – Tuesday, 11th June
• Nepal vs South Africa – Kingstown, St Vincent – Saturday, 15th June, 5:00 AM IST
• Nepal vs Canada – Kingstown, St Vincent – Monday, 17th June, 5:00 AM IST

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Upcoming Nepal match

Nepal vs South Africa

Nepal win: 9.60 (22Bet)
South Africa win: 1.07 (22Bet)

Nepal are set to take on South Africa in their third match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent on Saturday. South Africa, who are unbeaten in the tournament so far, are huge favourites to win the match at the odds of 1.07 on 22Bet.

Nepal’s opening game of T20 World Cup 2024 was a four-wicket defeat at the hands of the Netherlands. Batting first, Rohit Paudel made 35 runs but wickets kept falling around him and they were bundled out for 106. Nepal did fight hard in the second innings but it wasn’t enough.

While South Africa are a considerably stronger side, Nepal can give them a run for their money on a pitch that could assist bowlers. If you want to take a punt on Nepal winning, bet on 22Bet at the odds of 9.60.

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Top Nepal batters since 2023

Check out the top Nepal batters in T20 internationals since 2023.

Nepal have played 30 matches in T20 internationals since the start of 2023. Their captain Rohit Paudel occupies the top spot on the table for the most runs in this period. Paudel has scored 767 runs from 28 innings at an average of 36.52 while striking at 127.40, including five half centuries.

Kushal Malla has been the second most successful batter for Nepal in this period, having scored 597 runs from 23 innings at an average of 33.16 while striking at an incredible rate of 174.05. He has smashed one century and three half centuries, including a ridiculous knock of 137 not-out in 50 deliveries against Mangolia when they hit a record 314 in 20 overs.

Aasif Sheikh is third on the list with 559 runs from 25 games, averaging 23.29 at a strike rate of 115.49, with three half centuries. Dipendra Singh Airee has excellent numbers in the shorter format in this period, scoring 524 runs in 18 innings at a strike rate of 187.14 while averaging 43.66. Kushal Bhurtel has not been as consistent as the other batters in the line-up. He has made 515 runs from 27 innings since the start of 2023 at an average of 19.07 and strike rate of 131.04.

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Who will be Nepal’s best batter in T20 World Cup 2024?

Looking at the betting markets, the top two contenders to be Nepal’s best batter in T20 World Cup 2024 are Rohit Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel. They are followed by Aasif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Malla.

Captain Rohit Paudel is leading the race for a couple of reasons. He has been the top run-scorer for Nepal in the last year and was their only batter to put up a fight in the opening game of the tournament against the Netherlands with 35 off 37. Paudel, who has scored five fifties in T20Is since 2023, has the odds of 1.90 on 22Bet to be the top batter for Nepal.

Kushal Bhurtel has the second best odds of ending the tournament as the top Nepal batter at 4.00 on 22Bet. However, the opening batter has been the least consistent batter in the side since last year with an average of only 19.07 with three fifties. The top order batters haven’t had much success in the T20 World Cup 2024 and that drops his chances further.

Aasif Sheikh is the third favourite according to the bookmakers but the opening batter has the same challenges as his partner Bhurtel. The wicket-keeper batter averages 23.29 since the last year and was dismissed for 4 in the first game of this competition. Sheikh has the odds of 7.50 to be the top batter for Nepal.

Kushal Malla bats in the lower middle order but has been one of their best batters in the format. He has done well in the last year, averaging 33.16 and striking at 174.05. Ahead of this tournament, he made 37 not-out against West Indies A and 37 versus Canada. At the odds of 10.00 on 22Bet, he could give you great returns.

Having looked at all the options and the current runs tally in the tournament, we believe Rohit Paudel will be the top batter for Nepal in T20 World Cup 2024.