Nepal's "Tiger" Airee Poised to Roar at T20 World Cup

Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee, a 24-year-old policeman known as "The Tiger," is poised to make a significant impact at the T20 World Cup. His record-breaking batting prowess has the potential to elevate Nepal's performance on the global stage.

In September 2022, Airee played a pivotal role in Nepal's historic 273-run victory over Mongolia, the largest margin of victory in T20 history. His astonishing contribution included the fastest T20 fifty, achieved in just nine balls. He smashed sixes from each of the first six balls he faced, eclipsing the previous record of 12 balls.

Airee's batting prowess continued to shine in April against Qatar, where he became the third player to hit six sixes in a single over in a T20 international. However, his versatility extends beyond batting. He is also an exceptional fielder, renowned for his sensational catches and spectacular run outs.

Airee's determination to excel stems from the unwavering support he receives from his nation. "I will do my best to play a role in making the team victorious," he declared. "The support I get from everyone motivates me. They call me 'tiger,' and that further inspires me to give my 110 percent."

Despite Nepal's relatively low ranking of 17th in the ICC rankings, chief selector Dipendra Chaudhary believes Airee can make a substantial difference. "His off-spin bowling is among the finest," Chaudhary said. "His fitness, work ethic, and team spirit stand out."

Chaudhary predicts that Airee will be remembered as one of Nepal's greatest players. "He is very talented and hardworking. He began his career as a medium-paced bowler before transitioning into a batsman and now serving as an all-rounder."

Airee expressed his elation at participating in the World Cup, recalling how he watched the previous tournament on a giant screen in Nepal. "When we qualified, I was crying from the bottom of my heart," he said.

Humble and media-shy, Airee first played in the 2016 Under-19 World Cup. Chaudhary described him as "raw but remarkably gifted." Despite his natural talent, Airee remains grounded and ethical in his approach to the game.

The T20 World Cup begins on Saturday, co-hosted by the United States and West Indies. Nepal's first game is scheduled for June 4 in Dallas. While acknowledging the strength of other teams, Chaudhary expressed hope for a strong performance from Nepal.

"We have prepared enough for the World Cup, but frankly, other teams are better than us," Chaudhary said. "But it is a game, and we hope for good games and a good performance."

Nepal's preparation has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Sandeep Lamichhane, the former skipper who was denied a US visa due to rape allegations. However, Chaudhary emphasized that the team's focus remains on playing good cricket.

"More than a win or loss, we are preparing for the teams to play good cricket," Chaudhary added. "In the future, that will help us have big nations come and play on our turf or invite us. That will be the biggest win."

Tags: #DipendraSinghAiree, #NepalCricket, #T20WorldCup, #RecordBreakingBatting, #VersatileAllRounder