KATHMANDU, Feb 16: Nepal has opted to bat first after winning the toss in the ACC Women’s Premier Cup cricket semi-final clash against the host nation, Malaysia, at Malaysia’s Biomass Oval.

Having witnessed an intense first semi-final where the UAE triumphed over Thailand by a narrow margin of 4 runs, securing their spot in the final, the spotlight now shifts to the faceoff between Nepal and Malaysia.

The winner of this match will not only advance to the Women’s Premier Cup final but will also earn the opportunity to compete in this year’s Women’s T20 Asia Cup cricket tournament.

By securing a berth in the Asia Cup, the UAE has set the stage for a high-stakes tournament that will include cricket powerhouses like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, alongside the finalists of the Women’s Premier Cup.

Should Nepal emerge victorious against Malaysia, it will mark their return to the Asia Cup after an 8-year hiatus, the last appearance being in Thailand in 2016.

Victory in today’s match against Malaysia paves Nepal’s way for a remarkable comeback in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup cricket arena.