Kathmandu, May 31 -- Nepal produced a dominant performance to defeat China by 221 runs in the opening Group A match of the Asian Games Men's Cricket Qualifier in Singapore on Sunday, powered by a record-breaking batting display led by Kushal Bhurtel.

China won the toss and elected to field first, a decision that quickly backfired as Nepal's top order launched into an aggressive assault from the outset.

Bhurtel smashed 129 off 43 balls, including 16 sixes, setting the tone for Nepal's mammoth 313 for 2 in 20 overs. He shared a 175-run partnership with Kushal Malla, who remained unbeaten on 85 off 47 balls, while captain Rohit Paudel added a blistering 69 not out off 21 deliveries to accelerate the innings in the final overs.

Chasing a d...