Nepal lost to Canada by a crushing 63-run margin in the first warm-up game of ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Texas on Monday (May 27). Chasing Canada's target of 184 runs, Nepal were bowled out for a paltry total of 120 runs in 19.3 overs. (Full IPL Coverage | More Cricket News)
Nicholas Kirton, Canada's 26-year-old batting all-rounder, struck 52 runs off 39 balls to set things up nicely for a late onslaught by Ravinderpal Singh, who remained unbeaten on 41 off just 17 balls. Dilon Heyliger too stayed not out on 13 off 7 balls as the T20 World Cup debutants put up a competent total of 183/7 at Grand Prairie Stadium, a former ballpark in the United States.
In reply, the Nepal chase never really got going as Rohit Paudel's side kept losing wickets at regular intervals. In the end, they were bundled out with three balls left unaccounted for in their quota of 20 overs. Dilon Heyliger was the star with the ball, picking up four wickets for just 20 runs.
Both teams have one more warm-up game slated in the coming days. Canada will take on Netherlands in Texas on May 31 (12pm IST), while Nepal will face hosts USA at the same venue, also on May 31 (7:30am IST).
Nepal have qualified for the T20 World Cup for the first time in a decade. Paudel and Co got there on the back of their strong performance at the World Cup Asia Qualifier. Nepal beat Singapore and Malaysia to enter the knockouts and prevailed over old rivals UAE in the semi-final to seal their berth for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
As for Canada, this is their first-ever appearance in the 20-over showpiece. Led by skipper Saad Bin Zafar, the Canadian men confirmed their historic berth in October by beating Bermuda in the final of the Americas Region qualifier.
In the preliminary stage of the T20 World Cup, Nepal are placed in Group D alongside the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Bangladesh. Canada are in Group A with the United States of America, Ireland, India, and Pakistan. Canada will feature on the opening night of the main event against co-hosts USA. Nepal will meet Netherlands in their campaign opener on June 5 (7:30am IST).
