Nepal produced a dominant performance to defeat China by 221 runs in the opening Group A match of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Qualifier in Singapore on Sunday, powered by a record-breaking batting display led by Kushal Bhurtel.

China won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that quickly backfired as Nepal’s top order launched into an aggressive assault from the outset.

Bhurtel smashed 129 off 43 balls, including 16 sixes, setting the tone for Nepal’s mammoth 313 for 2 in 20 overs. He shared a 175-run partnership with Kushal Malla, who remained unbeaten on 85 off 47 balls, while captain Rohit Paudel added a blistering 69 not out off 21 deliveries to accelerate the innings in the final overs.

Chasing a daunting target of 314, China never recovered from early breakthroughs, losing wickets at regular intervals as Nepal’s bowling unit maintained control throughout the innings.

Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane struck early, while Kushal Malla produced a decisive spell of 3 for 0 in 1.2 overs, dismantling the lower order as China collapsed to 92 all out in 19.2 overs.

For China, Shenjian Zheng top-scored with 31 off 15 balls, but lacked support as Nepal’s spinners and medium pacers shared wickets across the innings, ensuring a comprehensive victory in the tournament opener.

Kami returned figures of two for 11 from three overs, while Lamichhane claimed two for 29 from his four overs with tight middle-overs control.

Malla delivered the standout spell of the match, taking three wickets without conceding a run in 1.2 overs, dismantling the tail and sealing Nepal’s dominance in the field.