Kushal Bhurtel, left, was unbeaten on 104 as Nepal amassed 218 for three from their 20 overs against the Philippines at the Oman Cricket Academy. Photo: Subas Humagain
Kushal Bhurtel, left, was unbeaten on 104 as Nepal amassed 218 for three from their 20 overs against the Philippines at the Oman Cricket Academy. Photo: Subas Humagain
Kushal Bhurtel, left, was unbeaten on 104 as Nepal amassed 218 for three from their 20 overs against the Philippines at the Oman Cricket Academy. Photo: Subas Humagain
Kushal Bhurtel, left, was unbeaten on 104 as Nepal amassed 218 for three from their 20 overs against the Philippines at the Oman Cricket Academy. Photo: Subas Humagain

Kushal Bhurtel century pushes Nepal closer to T20 World Cup Qualifier semi-finals


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

Kushal Bhurtel became the third Nepal batsman to score a century in T20 international cricket, as his side took a sizeable leap towards a place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Al Amerat.

The 25-year-old opener was unbeaten on 104 as Nepal amassed 218 for three from their 20 overs against the Philippines at the Oman Cricket Academy.

It is third highest score by a player from his country, after the efforts of Gyanendra Malla and Paras Khadka in 2019.

His stand of 171 for the third wicket with Dipendra Singh Airee, which is the best in Nepal’s T20I history, laid the platform for a 136-run win against the lowest-ranked side in the eight-team competition.

Nepal’s victory followed on a day after they had beaten hosts Oman by 39 runs in their tournament opener.

Only the two sides who make it to Friday’s final will earn qualification for the main event in Australia in October.

Although Nepal are all but assured of a place in the last four, the result on the neighbouring field meant Monday's final group matches still have something riding on them.

An unbroken stand worth 129 between Zeeshan Maqsood (76 not out) and Kashyap Parajapati (74 not out) took Oman to a nine-wicket win over Canada.

Canada had carried a huge net run-rate advantage into the fixture with them, by virtue of a hefty opening day win over the Philippines.

It is mathematically possible for the Canadians to deprive Nepal a place in the next phase if they beat them by a sizeable margin on Monday, and if Oman also pick up a significant run-rate boost in the course of beating the Philippines.

Going into the last day, Nepal's net run-rate is 4.375, Canada's is 2.512, while Oman's is -0.563.

Nepal beat Oman by 39 runs

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

What is a black hole?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Fines for littering

In Dubai:

Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro

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Sui Dhaaga: Made in India

Director: Sharat Katariya

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav

3.5/5

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Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey

Directed by: Pete Doctor

Rating: 4 stars

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Updated: February 19, 2022, 9:53 AM`