8 wickets fell for just 13 runs in a dramatic batting collapse that was the backbone of Canada’s 8 wickets loss to Nepal in the Oman hosted February 21 ICC 2022 T20 World Cup Qualifier between the two teams. Nepal won by eight wickets, easily chasing down the measly victory target of 81 that had been set by the Canadians in 14.1 overs for the loss of Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Malla’s wickets.
Having bowled out Canada for 80 in 15 overs, Nepal was never in trouble, Nepal skipper Sandeep Lamichhane led from the front with a three-wicket haul (3-12) to bowl out Canada for 80. Kamal Airee and Abinash Bohara picked two wickets apiece. The Canadian innings were rocked by two run-out dismissals with in-form opener Rayyan Pathan triggering a collapse.
Three balls after Pathan’s exit, Ravinderpal Singh followed him in the pavilion with the team’s total at 39-4. The Canadian batters were stifled against some accurate bowling and could never recover from the double-wicket loss in the sixth over.
A procession continued as the next five batters were dismissed for the addition of just nine runs, which included another run-out dismissal [Saad Zafar]. At 48-9, Canada was in a precarious situation with nearly ten overs remaining.
Dilon Heyliger and No 10 Salman Nazar adopted a counter-attack strategy to push the score to take it to 80 with a crucial 32-run stand. Heyliger smashed 2 sixes and a four in his unbeaten 22-ball 24 while Nazar made 10.