Nepal: Nepal has defeated Malaysia by nine wickets in the practice match held at Selangor Turf Ground of Malaysia today. Rainfall disrupted the match when Nepal was batting to chase the 233-run victory target posted by Malaysia. The 50-over match was reduced to 48 overs following the rainfall. With this, Nepal got a new 228-run victory target in reduced overs. Nepal made the 228-run victory target in 28 overs at the loss of one wicket.
According to National News Agency Nepal, for Nepal, opener Aasif Sheikh contributed the highest 161 runs in 85 balls while Arjun Kumal gathered 61 runs (not out). Earlier, elected to bat first after winning the toss, Malaysia collected 232 runs in 48.2 overs by losing all wickets. For Malaysia, Muhamad Syahadat Ramli scored the highest 61 runs while Saifullah Malik made 45 runs, Syed Aziz 40 runs, and Virandeep Singh 39 runs.
Towards bowling, Nepal’s captain Sandeep Lamichhane took four wickets, and Karan KC took two wickets. Similarly, Lalit Rajbanshi and Dipendra Singh Airee took one wicket each. Nepal played this practice match in preparation for the ACC Premier Cup Cricket Championship to be organised in Malaysia from August 30.
Nepal is in group ‘A’ in the championship. Similarly, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia are also in group ‘A’. Likewise, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Singapore are in group ‘B’. Nepal will play its first match against Bahrain on August 31.