Nepal's achievement, on their World T20 debut was no less memorable

For the first time in five years, an Associate nation has won a game at the World T20. Okay, so that was a given, as Hong Kong and Nepal contested the maiden encounter between two second-tier sides in the tournament's history, but Nepal's achievement, on their World T20 debut, was no less memorable for that. 

Paras Khadka, Nepal's statesmanlike captain and the man who has been so visible in their remarkable rise through the echelons of world cricket, struck a belligerent 41 and Gyanendra Malla 48 to set up a resounding 80-run win. Hong Kong, bristling with confidence before the game, crumbled in pursuit of 150, dismissed with three overs left unbowled as only three batsmen made double figures. Playing in front of the TV cameras, if not a packed-out stadium, perhaps exacerbated their nerves. 

Having worked hard to get back into the match after an 80-run stand between Khadka and Malla, Hong Kong slipped quickly back into the red by losing two wickets in the first two overs. Babar Hayat and Waqas Barkat got through the Powerplay before Shakti Gauchan claimed the first of his three wickets and when Mark Chapman was bowled by Basant Regmi - the first of two in two balls for Nepal's slow left-armer - it precipitated a calamitous collapse. 

Gauchan struck twice in the next over, rattling the stumps for the fourth time in a row, and charged off with his arm pointing to the sky in celebration. This was a night on which Nepal's passion for cricket was given rich reward. 

"Paras Khadka, chhaka padka" [Paras Khadka, hit a six] implored the Nepal support and this was the only facet of their evening in which they were to be disappointed. On social media, pictures were posted of crowds gathered in front of specially erected big screens in towns and cities in Nepal. Much has been made of this World T20 extending cricket's global reach; in Khadka, who later took a wicket with his first ball, Nepal has an impressive ambassador.