Nepal eye semi-final spot in Hong Kong tie

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Apr 14, 2024

After two consecutive victories, Nepal will set their eyes in the semi-finals when they play Hong Kong in the ACC Men�s Premier Cup on Monday at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground.

Nepal kicked off their campaign with a nervy win against Malaysia on Friday. In the second game on Sunday, they defeated Qatar comprehensively by 32 runs riding high on record-breaking performance from Dipendra Singh Airee.

Nepal and Hong Kong have met each other nine times in Twenty20 Internationals with the former winning four times. One match had ended without a result.

Hong Kong defeated Nepal in the Friendship Cup T20I series at their home in March this year but they went on to lose in the Tri-Series two days later. Papua New Guinea had won that Tri-Series.

Key players for Nepal

Dipendra will once again be at the centre-stage after smashing a record six consecutive sixes against Qatar in the 32-run victory.

In a prime form with two consecutive man-of-the-match performance, Dipendra has bowled, batted and fielded well. He has so far made 84 runs and picked up four wickets from two games.

Threats for Nepal

Big-hitting Babar Hayat will be the main challenge for Nepali bowlers. Babar is familiar with the Nepali bowling attack and has always contributed to his team against this opposition.

When Nepal met Hong Kong in the Friendship Cup, Babar had struck a scintillating century hitting 13 towering sixes.

Experience spinner Ehsan Khan is going to be key against Nepal who have struggled against finger spinners in Oman. Ehsan has always been a big threat for Nepal in all the matches he has played against the opposition.

Ehsan had taken four wickets in the last match against Qatar.