Victoria CA XI edges Nepal by one wicket in last-ball thriller

Darwin, 29 August 2026: Victoria CA XI survived a dramatic Nepal fightback to secure a one-wicket victory off the final ball on Saturday, finishing its Top End T20 Series league campaign in third place.

Chasing 143, Victoria reached 146-9 in 20 overs after Nepal had posted 142-6, built around an unbeaten 90 from Kushal Bhurtel.

Openers Tom Rogers and Harry Dixon gave Victoria a flying start, putting on 62 before Dixon fell for 30 off 16 balls. Rogers made 36 from 21, but Nepal dragged itself back into the contest with a burst of wickets that reduced Victoria from 62-0 to 69-5.

Sam Elliott steadied the innings with 16, while Harry Hoekstra held the lower order together. Hoekstra finished unbeaten on 35 off 26 balls and guided Victoria through a tense finish after it slipped to 129-9 in the 19th over. Michael Archer was unbeaten on 1 as Victoria crossed the target.

Kushal Bhurtel and Yuvraj Khatri took three wickets each for Nepal, with Bhurtel completing a standout all-round performance after carrying the batting.

Earlier, Nepal was in early trouble at 11-3 after electing to bat. Bhurtel rebuilt the innings despite wickets falling around him, striking six fours and five sixes in his 55-ball knock. Deepak Dumre, with 16, was the only other Nepal batter to reach double figures. Callum Stow and Harry Hoekstra took two wickets apiece for Victoria.

The defeat left Nepal seventh in the tournament with two wins from six matches.

Victoria finished third with five wins and 10 points, level with first-place Adelaide Strikers Academy and second-place Bangladesh HP but behind both on net run rate.

Bangladesh HP will face Victoria in the first semi-final on Sunday at 10am local time. Adelaide Strikers Academy will meet fourth-place New Zealand ‘A’ in the second semi-final at 10.30am in Darwin.

Scores in brief:

Victoria CA XI won by one wicket

Nepal 142-6 in 20 overs (Kushal Bhurtel 90 not out, Deepak Dumre 16; Callum Stow 2-18, Harry Hoekstra 2-20)

Victoria CA XI 146-9 in 20 overs (Tom Rogers 36, Harry Hoekstra 35 not out, Harry Dixon 30; Kushal Bhurtel 3-17, Yuvraj Khatri 3-20)