Defending champions Nepal secure semi-final spot

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Apr 16, 2024

Nepal blew away Hong Kong by eight wickets to enter the semi-finals of the ACC Premier Cup at the Al Amerat Cricket Grounds in Oman on Monday.

On their way to registering third consecutive victory, Nepal have earned six points from three matches with only match against Saudi Arabia left in the group stage.

Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Qatar and Hong Kong have two points each with only run rate separating them. Saudi Arabia have played a game less, while rest of the teams have only one game remaining.

The match on Monday was reduced 18 overs due to rain. After reducing Hong Kong to just 114 in 17.5 overs, Nepal replied strongly through their openers before reaching the target in just 12.2 overs.

Abinash Bohora took three wickets for Nepal. PHOTO COURTESY: ACC

Nepal had a flying start after Aasif Sheikh and Kushal Bhurtell added 70 runs for the first wicket inside six overs. Aasif smashed an 18-ball 40 with three each sixes and four.

Kushal Bhurtel made a 19-ball 32 with three fours and two sixes. After the departure of both the openers, skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel (25) and Sundeep Jora (19) eased the chase with an unbeaten 41-run partnership.

Earlier, opener Anshuman Rath was the only Hong Kong batsman managing to score with some grit with Nepali bowlers striking at regular intervals. Anshuman made 34 from 26 balls.

Man-of-the-match Abinash Bohora took 3-29 from four overs. Lalit Rajbanshi bowler miserly giving away just 14 runs in four overs including a maiden while taking a wicket.

Dipendra Singh Airee took two wickets in the only five deliveries he bowled in the day.