KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered a 15-run defeat against Hong Kong in their final group-stage match of the ongoing ACC Premier Cup cricket tournament in Malaysia.
Chasing a target of 262 runs set by Hong Kong, Nepal were bowled out for 246 in 49.1 overs. Ishan Pandey top-scored for Nepal with 90 runs.
Pandey scored 90 off 106 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes. Asif Sheikh contributed 44 runs, while Dipendra Singh Airee scored 25, Karan KC 21 and Gulshan Jha 20.
For Hong Kong, Ehsan Khan claimed four wickets. Yasim Murtaza took two wickets, while Kinchit Shah, Nasrulla Rana and Atik Iqbal took one wicket each.
Earlier, Hong Kong, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, posted 261 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Babar Hayat was the top scorer with 117 runs from 127 balls, including seven fours and seven sixes.
Ehsan remained unbeaten on 35, while Shahid Wasif scored 45. For Nepal, captain Sandeep Lamichhane took four wickets and Sher Malla claimed three.
With the victory, Hong Kong secured a place in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Comment