Hangzhou Asian Games | Blazing Jaiswal hundred helps India beat Nepal, Men in Blue reach semifinals

Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a 49-ball-100 to lead India to a 23-run win over Nepal in the Asian Games quarterfinal. Despite Jaiswal's heroics, Nepal's gritty performance made it a close match

Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed a blazing hundred but a gritty Nepal stretched Indian bowling unit to its limit before losing in the quarterfinal of the men's cricket event by 23 runs at the Asian Games here on Tuesday.

Jaiswal, Indian cricket's new pin-up boy, earned the distinction of being the youngest T20I centurion from the country en route his 49-ball-100 that took India to a healthy 202 for 4 in 20 overs, foundation of their semifinal entry.

But the men from the Himalayan nation made a match of it but lack of experience became their undoing as their innings ended on 179 for 9, ensuring a last four spot for Ruturaj Gaikwad's men.

No praise would be enough for the Monty Desai coached side as the smaller ground dimensions helped them embarrass two Indian pacers Arshdeep Singh (2/43) and Avesh Khan (3/32), who gave away 75 runs in their cumulative 8 overs.

There is one piece of statistics that will certainly annoy head coach V.V.S. Laxman. India, in all, hit 12 sixes but Nepal batters surpassed them with 14 maximums.

It was debutant left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore (1/25) and IPL star Ravi Bishnoi (3/24) who actually controlled the middle overs to save India from what could have been an upset.

The likes of Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Deependra Airee and Sundeep Jora are blessed with talent and hope the global cricket establishment gives them enough exposure to consistently challenge heavyweights like they did this day.