ACC Premier Cup: Holders Nepal eye tricky Malaysia at familiar Al Amerat

Defending champions Nepal will be itching to kick off their ACC Men’s Premier Cup campaign on Friday against Malaysia.

The match will begin at 4:15 PM NPT at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Oman.

Nepal are fresh from winning the SMS Friendship Cup title in India against Gujarat and Baroda teams but familiar foes Malaysia are still going to be the tricky opponents.

The slow pitches of Al Amerat Cricket Grounds have seen little bounce and turn during domestic and international matches in recent months. Under these conditions, toss could be crucial and medium-pacers with the ability to bring variations will be expected to be key.

In the morning conditions where 150 have been average score for team batting first, the teams could be in for pursue of target close to 170. The afternoon games might be all about run feast.

Nepal have a dominant head-to-head record against Malaysia winning eight out of nine matches played between the two sides.

The last time Malaysia beat Nepal in a T20 match was during the ACC Eastern Region Twenty20 in Bangkok, Thailand in February 2020.

Playing their first ever match in Oman, Malaysia are up against a side that has the experience of playing 15 matches — including one-dayers and Twenty20s.

In the shorter format, Nepal have won 5 out of 10 matches played at the Ministry Turf 1. The only time Nepal managed above 150 in this venue was against UAE back in 2022 during a Quadrangular Twenty20 International Series that also included Oman and Ireland.

While chasing 193 runs, Nepal were bundled out for 167 runs.

Key players for Nepal

With excellent stats at the venue, Dipendra Singh Airee and Abinash Bohara are expected to be the main players for Nepal.

Dipendra has scored 262 runs in 10 innings in Al Amerat with an average of 32.75. He averages above 50 against Malaysia alone in T20 Internationals.

Abinash is desperately searching for his form; this year his economy is above 10 with just three wickets to his name in four T20I innings. A pitch seemingly appearing to be tailor-made for him, Oman should be the best place for him to make a solid comeback.

Out of all the pacers in the squad, Abinash has played most number of matches at this venue, picking up 14 wickets in 9 matches with an economy of 6.31.

Nepal’s challenges

Despite afternoon conditions favouring batsmen, batting will still pose as a challenge for Nepali batters who are preparing for their second Twenty20 appearance in June.

None of the Nepalese batters have a strike rate above 120 at Al Amerat with Karan KC being an exception. Karan has a strike rate of 169.69 and has only faced 33 balls and bats down the order.

The top batter in the venue, Dipendra, has a strike rate of 104. Although Nepali batters, in recent years, have made merry against Malaysia, a spot in the Asia Cup next year can make them circumspect.

Virandeep the key for Malaysians

Malaysia will pin their hopes on captain Virandeep Singh and his superb form. He has been the highest run scorer and highest wicket taker for Malaysia with 792 runs and 33 wickets in the last 24 matches he has played.