5 International cricket records of Nepal you don't know

Nepal is a Himalayan country taking big strides in international cricket. Nepal has already shown its potential in the cricketing arena. The professional cricketing journey for Nepal probably started after getting promoted to Associate Member from Affiliate Member of ICC in 1996. A lot has changed since then.

From the maiden appearance of a national team in ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur in 1996 to the T20 World Cup 2014 in Bangladesh, the country has seen it all. From being called a Darkhorse in junior level to showing a good performance in the ICC World Cup, encapsulates the cricketing passion of the country.

Amidst many ups and down the country has gone through in years gone by, Nepal has been exhibiting decent performances in the cricket field. Playing T20 World Cup 2014 was one of the greatest achievement for Nepal so far. Nepal finished just below Bangladesh in the qualifying stage with wins over HongKong and Afghanistan.

Nepali young sensation Sandeep Lamichhane is currently showcasing his talent through his leggies in top international franchise leagues like Indian Premier League (IPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and leagues from Canada and Hong Kong.

Let's have a look at five international cricket records in the name of Nepal that most of us might now know.

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1. Mehboob Alam picking up 10 wickets in a match

Mehboob Alam

Mehboob is a left-handed batsman and a left-arm medium pace bowler. He has a Guinness world-record for single-handedly bowling out an opponent.

Mehboob Alam from Nepal is the first bowler to pick up all 10 wickets in an ICC-recognised limited-overs match. Mehboob achieved this feat in a match against Mozambique which was a part of 2008 ICC World Cricket League Division 5 competition. Only Jim Laker from England and Anil Kumble from India have picked up all 10 wickets and both instances were in Test cricket.

Nepal defeated Mozambique in a one-sided match as Mozambique were bowled out for 19 runs chasing a target of 239 runs. Mehboob Alam gave away 12 runs to pick up 10 wickets in the match.

2. Nepal bowled out Myanmar for 10 runs

Cricket Craze in Nepal at TU Ground, Kirtipur

Nepal bowled out Myanmar for just 10 runs during the 2006 ACC Cup match. It was once again the Guinness World Record holder Mehboob Alam’s day as he picked up 7 wickets giving away just 3 runs. Mehboob started the wicket-taking process from the first ball and ended on the seventh over to finish off Myanmar innings at 10. Apart from Mehboob, his new ball partner and Nepali skipper Binod Das picked up 3 wickets for 4 runs.

Six batsmen from Myanmar got out for duck and five of their batsmen scored a run each while other runs came from extras.

3. Only country to chase down the target in 2 balls

Nepali Cricket Team

Nepal achieved yet another record in the same match against Myanmar as they chased down the target of 11 runs in just two balls. Nepali openers Gyanendra Malla and Mahesh Chhetri came out to bat after Mehboob and Binod bowled out Myanmar for 10 runs in the first innings.

Aye Min Than of Myanmar game away three wides while both openers scored 3 runs each as Nepal completed the victory within 2 balls.

4. First Associate to win ICC U19 Plate Championship

Nepali U19 Team

Nepal has always been a better performer in age level tournaments including U19 and U16. Nepal registered wins against New Zealand U19 in 2006 Plate Championship final to become the first associate nation to win the plate championship in the World Cup.

Nepal pulled off a thrilling one-wicket win in the Plate final against New Zealand, with two balls to spare after they appeared to be dead and buried at 75 for 6. Basant Regmi was the hero with an incredible all-round performance, hitting a sparkling 66 off 74 balls to follow his 3 for 41.

5. Sompal Kami - Highest run scorer batting in position 10

Sompal Kami

Nepal's Sompal Kami has the record for highest score by a No. 10 batsman in international T20 cricket. In Nepal's T20 with Hong Kong on Monday, Kami walked into the field after eight of his team-mates were toppled over without making a double-digit score.

Kami made 40 runs while playing 31 balls - the highest score by a batsman at that position in T20- and helped set a modest target of 73 runs to Hong Kong.