Nepal down Oman

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 16: Nepal registered a five-wicket victory over Oman in the practice match of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup at T.U. International Cricket Ground, Kathmandu on Saturday.

Nepal comfortably chased the target of 247 runs set by the visitors in 44.4 overs with the loss of the five wickets.

Arjun Saud, Captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee each hit half-century for the home team. Opener Saud smashed 67 runs while Captain Paudel was retired hurt collecting 58 runs and Airee contributed 59 runs in Nepal’s victory.

Kushal Malla replaced captain Paudel after Paudel was retired hurt while he was batting. Malla, howeer, returned to the scoring single digit runs. Similarly, opener Dev Khanal went back to the tent for just 10 runs. 

Meanwhile, Oman team skipper Zeeshan Maqsood grabbed two wickets.

Earlier, Oman posted 246 runs with loss of the nine wickets in the allocated 50 overs match. Shoaib Khan’s ton was not enough for visitors to register victory over host Nepal.

Khan scored highest an unbeaten 110 runs while opener Jassinder Singh made 42 runs and his opening partner Kashyap scored 16 runs.

Similarly, Mohammad Nadeem hit 24 runs for victim Oman.

Likewise, Kishor Mahato claimed three wickets while Pratish GC and Surya Tamang contributed two wickets apiece in Nepal’s huge victory over associate nations, one of the strongest sides.

ACC Men’s Premier Cup will be held from 18 April to 02 May at T.U. International Cricket Stadium, Kathmandu and Mulpani International Cricket Stadium, Kathmandu.

Host Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have been drawn in the group ‘A’ and United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore and Bahrain have been drawn into the group ‘B’.

Nepal will host Malaysia in an inaugural match on Tuesday at T.U. International Cricket Ground while Hong Kong will meet Singapore at Mulpani International Cricket Stadium, Kathmandu on the same day.

The tournament will be conducted on a round robin league system and the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.

The winner of the Cup will directly qualify for Men’s Asia Cup 2023.