KATHMANDU, April 16: Nepal enjoyed their third consecutive win in the ICC U-19 World Cup Asia Qualifier. In Wednesday's match, Nepal easily defeated Hong Kong by 9 wickets.
Chasing a modest target of 116 runs set by Hong Kong at the Lower Mulpani Cricket Stadium, Nepal comfortably chased the target in just 12.3 overs, losing only one wicket. Opener Sahil Patel remained not-out on 42 runs, while Captain Naren Bhatta scored 39 leading the team to victory. Niraj Yadav, one of the opening batsmen, contributed 23 runs.
Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient, will shine again
Earlier, after losing the toss and being invited to bat first, Hong Kong were bowled out for 115 runs in 46.2 overs. Shiv Mathur was the top scorer with 63 runs, while Arya Panjwani made 13 and Veer Mathur added 12 runs.
Hong Kong shed their first wicket with just 10 runs on the board, but Mathur and Panjwani built a defensive half-century partnership.
Nepal's Yubaraj Khatri took 4 wickets for just 18 runs in 10 overs. Bipin Prasad Sharma took 3 wickets for 24 runs in 6.2 overs. Santosh Yadav took 2 wickets and Ashok Dhami took 1 wicket.
Earlier, Nepal defeated both UAE and Oman in the tournament. Nepal will now face Afghanistan in their final group-stage match on Saturday.
