Nepal fix final date with Malaysia in ACC U16 East Zone Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 4: Nepali Colts advanced to the final of the ACC U16 East Zone Cup following their 97- run victory over Singapore in the semi-final held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. 

Nepal fixed the final date with Malaysia on Tuesday. Host Malaysia defeated Hong Kong by 78 runs in the other semi-final match held at YSD UKM Oval, Bangi. 

Opting to bat first at Bayuemas Oval, Pandamaran, Nepal garnered 184 runs losing nine wickets in 35 overs. Singapore, in a run chase, managed to collect 87 runs losing all wickets in 31.3 overs. 

Kiritk Kamat was the pick of the bowler for Nepal with a three-wicket haul. He spent just nine runs and bowled one maiden over in his miserly spell of 15 balls. 

Likewise, Santosh, Naren Bhatta, Ashok Dhami, Tiwari and Pratik Pokharel also contributed in Singapore's carnage by bagging one wicket each.

Opener Roshan Ravichandran was the highest scorer for Singapore with 24 runs off 37 balls that included three fours and one six. 

Pranav Dhanuka was not out on the crease with 14 runs. Kabir Berlia (11) was another double-digit scorer as rest of batters returned to the pavilion for a cheap score. 

Earlier, Nepal made an impressive start with opening batters Suryanshu Koirala and Niraj Kumar Yadav putting on a 63-run stand for the first wicket. 

Koirala clubbed six boundaries to collect 43 runs off 49 balls before returning to the dugout in 11.3 overs. Niraj Kumar hit three fences and one maximum for his 49-ball 42 knocks. 

Captain Abhisekh Tiwari (25), Santosh Yadav (18), Pratik Bhattarai (12), Dipu Kumar (not out 12) and Kritik Kamat (10) contributed to catapult Nepal from 99/4 to 184/9 in 35 overs. 

For Singapore, Hariharan took three wickets, and Harsh Venkatram and Kabir Berlia dismissed two batters each.