Nepal’s ODI journey has been marked with memorable performances, especially from its talented batting unit. After playing 57 ODI matches, Nepal has won 30 games, lost 25, tied 1, and seen 1 match abandoned due to rain. Throughout this short yet eventful run, the team has established multiple records and seen batters rise to the occasion with match-defining performances.
So far, Nepal has faced ten different opponents in One Day Internationals. In this article, we take a detailed look at the highest individual scores by Nepali batters in ODIs against each of these teams.
5. Kushal Bhurtel – 99 vs Zimbabwe
In Nepal’s first-ever ODI match against a Test-playing nation, Kushal Bhurtel delivered a sensational knock of 99 runs against Zimbabwe in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers. His innings included a record 171-run opening partnership with Aasif Sheikh. Though he fell one run short of a century, Bhurtel’s knock still ranks among the highest individual scores by Nepali batters in ODIs and was the highest ODI score by a Nepali against a Test nation.
4. Kushal Malla – 108 vs Oman
ushal Malla’s blistering 108 off just 64 balls against Oman came during Nepal’s 50th ODI match. Arriving with the score at 72 for 4, Malla rescued Nepal with a record-setting century, reaching the milestone in just 59 balls. It remains the fastest ODI hundred by a Nepali player and a defining moment among the highest individual scores by Nepali batters in ODIs.
3. Kushal Bhurtel – 115 vs Namibia
In a dramatic chase at TU Cricket Ground, Kushal Bhurtel scored 115 runs off 113 balls against Namibia. This was his maiden ODI century and helped Nepal clinch a tight two-wicket win. His crucial 133-run partnership with Rohit Paudel was the highlight of the match, making this knock one of the highest individual scores by Nepali batters in ODIs.
2. Paras Khadka – 115 vs UAE
Captain Paras Khadka led from the front during Nepal’s historic series win against UAE in January 2019. His 115-run innings helped Nepal chase 255 with ease. Alongside two wickets in the first innings, Khadka’s performance was outstanding. Notably, this remains the only century by a Nepali batter in ODIs on foreign soil, making it one of the highest individual scores by Nepali batters in ODIs.
1. Rohit Paudel – 126 vs PNG
Rohit Paudel’s 126-run knock against PNG in March 2022 at TU Ground remains the highest individual score by a Nepali batter in ODIs. Despite his brilliant performance, Nepal fell short by six runs in a close chase. Paudel’s innings is not only the best by a Nepali in ODIs but also the top individual score in a losing cause, making it a historic effort.
| Rank | Opponent | Player | Runs | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Zimbabwe | Kushal Bhurtel | 99 | Harare Sports Club | June 2023 | Lost by 8 wickets |
| 4 | Oman | Kushal Malla | 108 | TU Cricket Ground | Mar 2023 | Won by 84 runs |
| 3 | Namibia | Kushal Bhurtel | 115 | TU Cricket Ground | Feb 2023 | Won by 2 wickets |
| 2 | UAE | Paras Khadka | 115 | ICCA Dubai | Jan 2019 | Won by 4 wickets |
| 1 | PNG | Rohit Paudel | 126 | TU Cricket Ground | March 2022 | Lost by 6 runs |
Final Thoughts
These five innings stand as landmarks in Nepal’s ODI history. As the team continues to grow in the international circuit, new players are stepping up to challenge and break records. With rising talent and increasing match exposure, the list of the highest individual scores by Nepali batters in ODIs will keep evolving, offering more milestones and memorable moments for fans to celebrate.These knocks not only highlight individual brilliance but also reflect Nepal’s growing stature in international ODI cricket.