KATHMANDU: Nepal defeated the Maldives by 84 runs in the men’s cricket of the South Asian Games (SAG) held at TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur on Friday.

Chasing down the 164 runs target posted by Nepal, the Maldives scored 79 runs on the board losing six wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Mohamed Azzam was top scorer for the Maldives at 17 runs.

Nepal’s Sushan Bhari and Lalit Rajbanshi grabbed two wickets each.

Earlier electing to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal managed to put 163 runs on the board losing seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs.

Karan KC top-scored for Nepal at 40 runs as Dipendra Singh Airee and Captain Gyanendra Malla contributed 39 and 19 runs respectively.

Leem Shafeeg of the Maldives grabbed three wickets. Ameel Mauroof sent two Nepali batsmen back to the pavilion.