KATHMANDU, Oct 10: Skipper Paras Khadka once again shined in batting to help Nepal registered a 21-run win against Malaysia and enter ACC Trophy Elite final. Nepal will now play against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday.
Sent in to take strike first at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Nepal scored 241/9 in revised 45 overs with Khadka’s 96-ball 89 including 10 boundaries and a six. [break]He shared a crucial 112-run third wicket stand with his deputy Gyanendra Malla (34).
Playing an anchor role, Malla faced 60 balls and hit two fours. Earlier on, Nepal had a disastrous start, losing both the openers—Subash Khakurel (3) and Anil Mandal (8) in 6.2 overs with just 21 on board.
Shard Vesawkar scored 37 off 44 balls, including two fours, while Prithu Baskota played a cameo of 34. Baskota faced just 21 balls and smacked three fours and two sixes.
Nazril Rahman, who inflicted early jolts removing both the Nepali openers, was the most successful Malaysian bowlers picking four wickets. Likewise, K Durrani, Faruq Hakimin and Anwar Rahman took one wicket apiece.
In reply, Malaysia players were bundled out in 220 losing all wickets. Suhan Kumar chipped in 43 off 51 balls while Shafiq Sharif contributed 42 off 30 balls.
Prithu Banskota took three wickets while Gauchan took two. Amrit Bhattarai, Khadka, Basanta Regmi and Buwan Karki claimed a wicket each.
UAE stuns Afghanistan
In the other semifinal match, the host UAE stunned mighty Afghanistan by eight wickets. Electing to bat first at ICC Global Cricket Academy, Dubai, Afghanistan were all out for meager 70 runs in 30.4 overs.
The UAE overcame the target in 23.4 overs at the loss of two wickets. UAE batsmen Haroon Ifthikar and Shaiman Anwar remained unbeaten on 32 and 24 respectively when the host sealed an easy victory to enter the final.
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