KATHMANDU: Nepal advanced to the final of the Asian Games men’s cricket qualifying tournament after defeating Oman by eight wickets in the first semi-final at the National Cricket Ground in Singapore.
Chasing a modest target of 95 runs, Nepal reached 95/2 in just 9.2 overs, with 64 balls to spare.
Lokesh Bam led the chase with an unbeaten 44 off 26 balls, hitting seven fours and a six. Captain Rohit Paudel remained not out on 21 off 20 balls, while opener Kushal Bhurtel contributed 20 runs. Ashif Sheikh was dismissed for one run.
Earlier, Oman, who elected to bat first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 94 in 19.4 overs.
Nepal’s bowlers dominated from the outset. Karan KC was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets for 20 runs in four overs, including a maiden. Sandeep Lamichhane took 2/19 from his four overs, while Sompal Kami returned figures of 2/26, including a maiden. Sahab Alam, Kushal Malla and Dipendra Singh Airee chipped in with one wicket each.
Nepal entered the semi-finals as Group A winners and secured their place in the final by defeating Group B runners-up Oman.
The team had earlier crushed China by 221 runs in their opening group-stage match before registering a commanding 167-run victory over Malaysia.
Having already secured qualification for the Asian Games by reaching the semi-finals, Nepal will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Group B winners Hong Kong and Group A runners-up Malaysia. The final will be played in Singapore on Monday.
Under the tournament format, all four semi-finalists have already qualified for the Asian Games. Nepal and Malaysia qualified from Group A, while Oman and Hong Kong secured qualification from Group B.
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