KATHMANDU: Nepal will face Hong Kong today (Monday) in the final of the ongoing Asian Games Men’s Cricket Qualifiers in Singapore.
Nepal secured its place in the final after defeating Oman by eight wickets in the first semi-final on Sunday. The final between Nepal and Hong Kong in Singapore will begin at 12:15 pm.
Nepal chased down the target of 95 runs set by Oman, losing two wickets in 9.2 overs. Lokesh Bam top-scored with an unbeaten 44 runs, hitting seven fours and one six off 26 balls. Opener Kushal Bhurtel scored 20 runs, while captain Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 21. Oman’s Sufyan Mehmood took two wickets.
For Nepal, Karan KC took three wickets, while Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane claimed two wickets each. Kushal Malla, Shahab Alam, and captain Rohit Paudel took one wicket each.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong reached the final after defeating Malaysia by six wickets in the second semi-final on Sunday. Chasing a target of 115 runs, Hong Kong scored 120 for the loss of four wickets in 18.2 overs.
Nepal had earlier defeated China by 221 runs in its opening group match and Malaysia by 167 runs in the second match. Both Nepal and Hong Kong remain unbeaten in the tournament and will aim to finish as undefeated champions.
In head-to-head T20 International encounters, Nepal and Hong Kong have faced each other 14 times. Nepal has won seven matches, while Hong Kong has won five. Two matches were abandoned due to rain.
Malaysia and Oman will compete for third place in the qualifiers today.
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