Kathmandu, June 8
Nepal have won the Asian Games men’s cricket qualifier final in Singapore, defeating Hong Kong via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
In Monday afternoon’s final, Nepal were chasing a stiff target of 189 runs set by Hong Kong. When rain interrupted play, Nepal had scored 114 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 11.3 overs. With no further play possible, DLS calculations gave Nepal the win; the par score was 95, and Nepal were 19 runs ahead.
For Nepal, Kushal Bhurtel top-scored with 65 runs off 40 balls before falling. Rohit Paudel remained not out on 35, and Dipendra Singh Airee was not out on 9. For Hong Kong, Ehsan Khan and Ayush Shukla each took one wicket.
Hong Kong innings
After winning the toss and being invited to bat, Hong Kong posted 188 for 7 in 20 overs. Anshuman Rath top-scored with 80 off 45 balls, including 6 fours and 6 sixes, while Shahid Wasif contributed 55 off 28 balls. Shiv Mathur added 26 runs.
Hong Kong had been placed at 179 for 5 after 18 overs but could not finish as strongly as expected.
For Nepal, Sher Malla was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs. Karan KC picked up 2 wickets, and Sandeep Lamichhane took 1.
Both Nepal and Hong Kong had come into the final unbeaten in the tournament.
