Mumbai: All-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee became the first Nepali cricketer to reach the landmark of 2,000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals on Sunday.

Airee achieved the feat while scoring 44 runs in Nepal’s opening Group ‘C’ match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Despite his effort, Nepal suffered a heartbreaking four-run defeat.

The 26-year-old, who made his T20I debut for Nepal in July 2018, reached the milestone in 79 innings, including one century and 10 half-centuries.

Nepal’s vice-captain also holds the record for the fastest half-century in T20I cricket, having reached the mark off just nine balls against Mongolia in September 2023. He also became only the third player in T20I history to hit six sixes in an over.