KATHMANDU: Nepal has set a target of 148 runs for Oman in the semi-final match of the ongoing ACC Premier Men’s Cup in Malaysia.
Invited to bat first after losing the toss, Nepal was bowled out for 147 runs in 45.4 overs.
Vice-captain Dipendra Singh Airee top-scored for Nepal with 51 runs, hitting 4 boundaries in his 76-ball innings. Basir Ahmed contributed 47 runs, including 3 boundaries and 1 six. Apart from these two batters, the rest of the lineup struggled to build significant momentum.
Nepal had a poor start, losing openers Aasif Sheikh and Dev Khanal early. Former captain Rohit Paudel and Ishan Pandey also departed cheaply, leaving Nepal in a precarious position at 36 for 4.
Airee and Ahmed stabilized the innings with a 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, once their partnership was broken, the remaining wickets fell quickly.
For Oman, Jay Odedra and Hasnain Shah claimed 3 wickets each. Oman will now begin their chase to secure a spot in the final.
