Nepal, Hong Kong make winning start at Premier Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 19: Title contender Nepal began the ACC Premier Cup with a six-wicket win over Malaysia at TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur on Tuesday. The hundred-run partnership between Kushal Malla and Bhim Sharki helped Nepal chase the victory target of 236 runs successfully in 36.2 overs losing four wickets.  

After making a winning start, Captain Rohit Paudel said every player contributed to Nepal’s opening win. "I am glad to make a winning start.  We, however, failed to perform well in the power-play.  The medium pacer and spinner bowled very well to restrict the opponent to a medium score. Besides, Bhim Sharki and Kushal Malla also batted well to cruise Nepal home," Paudel said.

“Nepal next faces Oman, which will be One Day International match. The win will put us on the top of the Group A table.” 

All-rounder Malla cracked five maximums and five boundaries in his unbeaten quick-fire 40-ball 70. Dipendra Singh Airee (3-ball 5) finished off the match with a boundary after Sharki returned to the pavilion when Nepal needed just five runs for victory.  

Right-hand batter Sharki smacked 71 runs off 98 balls that included five boundaries. He put on a 112-run partnership with Malla for the fourth wicket before being out in 35.5 overs. 

Nepal lost Opening batter Aasif Sheikh (1) in the last ball of the first over. Kushal Bhurtel paired with Sharki to add 48 runs for the second wicket. Bhurtel hit five fences and two maximums in his 38-run cameo.  

Captain Paudel clubbed five boundaries in his 43-ball 42 contributions.  Paudel put on a 66-run partnership with Sharki before returning to the pavilion in 21.5 overs.  

Muhammad Wafiq, Rizwan Haider, Vijay Unni and Virandeep Singh picked one wicket each for Malaysia. 

The player of the match Malla said he played his part perfectly as per the instruction of Coach Monty Desai. "Coach Desai sent me as a finisher and instructed me to finish the match. I completed my job successful,”  Sharki said.

Electing to bat first, Malaysia posted 235 runs losing nine wickets in 50 overs. Captain Ahmad Faiz hammered eight boundaries and one six to top score with 95-ball 76. 

Opener Virandeep Singh hit 46 runs off 94 balls while Khizar Hayat (25-ball 22), Syazrul Ldrus (13-ball 21), opener Muhammad Amir (18-ball 17) and Muhamad Syahadat (20-ball 15) contributed with double digits for Malaysia.  

Sandeep Lamichhane and Sompal Kami were pick-of-the-bowlers for Nepal with each claiming three wickets. Lalit Rajbanshi grabbed two wickets and Gulsan Jha dismissed one batter for Nepal. Malaysia's Captain Ahmad Faiz said the score they posted was below par on the TU’s wicket.

"We made a target of scoring more than 285 runs, but we couldn't succeed in it. Especially, on the boundary.  The host gave their hundred per cent against us. We knew that Nepal is in a good position and has every member contributing to them," Skipper Faiz added.

Hayat hits century

In the first international match at Mulpani Cricket Ground, Babar Hayat smashed a century to lead Hong Kong to eight wickets victory over Singapore.

Hong Kong easily chased the target of 175 runs set by Singapore losing two wickets in 33 overs.

Hayat scored the highest 108 runs off 94 balls that included ten boundaries and six sixes. Skipper and opener Nizakat Khan chipped in with 89-ball 51 that featured three boundaries and a single six.

Ramesh Kalimuthu and Aritra Dutta grabbed one wicket apiece for victim Singapore.

Earlier, Singapore scored 174 runs with the loss of all the wickets in 42.1 overs. Captain and opener Aritra Dutta scored the highest 49 runs off 57 balls after smashing nine boundaries. Middle order Aaryan Modi hit 21 runs and Ramesh Kalimuthu scored 18 runs for Singapore.

Ehsan Khan claimed four wickets and Yasim Murtaza grabbed three wickets for Hong Kong. 

Kuwait will take on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at TU Cricket Ground and Bahrain will face Singapore at Mulpani Cricket Ground on Wednesday.