Kushal Bhurtel (Nepali: कुशल भुर्तेल; born 22 January 1997) is a Nepalese cricketer who plays for the Nepal national cricket team. An all-rounder, he is a right-handed opening batsman and a leg-break bowler, and has represented Nepal in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) since 2021.
Personal and career details
| Full name | Kushal Bhurtel |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 January 1997 |
| Nationality | Nepalese |
| Batting | Right-handed (opening batsman) |
| Bowling | Right-arm leg-break |
| Role | All-rounder |
| International debut | 2020–21 Nepal Tri-Nation Series |
| National team | Nepal |
Background
Bhurtel first came to prominence at the youth level, representing Nepal at the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. After the tournament, he spent several years on the periphery of Nepal's senior team before earning a full international call-up.
International career
Debut and record-breaking start
Bhurtel made his international debut for Nepal during the 2020–21 Nepal Tri-Nation Series. In a notable beginning to his T20I career, he scored half-centuries in each of his first three matches, becoming the first player in the history of Twenty20 International cricket to achieve this feat.
World Cups
He was named in Nepal's squad for both the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, marking him as a regular feature in Nepal's white-ball plans.
Six sixes in an over
In May 2026, Bhurtel became the sixth player overall, and the second from Nepal, to hit six consecutive sixes in a single over in T20I cricket. He achieved the feat against China during the Asian Games – Men's Qualifier.
Significance
Bhurtel's emergence has coincided with Nepal's growing presence in international cricket. His record of three consecutive half-centuries to begin a T20I career, his appearances at successive ICC T20 World Cups, and his six-sixes-in-an-over feat have established him as one of the prominent figures in Nepalese cricket of his generation.
Related topics
- Nepal national cricket team
- Cricket in Nepal
- List of Nepal Twenty20 International cricketers
- 2020–21 Nepal Tri-Nation Series
- 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup
- Six sixes in an over
References
- "Kushal Bhurtel", English Wikipedia.
- Wikidata item: Q47076718.