KATHMANDU, Sept 8: Nepal lost to Hong Kong by 15 runs in the ongoing ACC Men’s Premier Cup in Malaysia on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 262, Nepal were bowled out for 246 in 49.1 overs.
Ishan Pandey top-scored for Nepal with 90 runs, while Aasif Sheikh made 44, Dipendra Singh Airee 25, Karan KC 21 and Gulshan Jha 20.
Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient, will shine again
For Hong Kong, Aizaz Khan took four wickets, while Yasim Murtaza claimed two. Kinchit Devang Singh, Nusrulla Rana and Atik-ul-Iqbal took one wicket each.
Earlier, Hong Kong scored 261 for seven in their 50 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
Babar Hayat scored an unbeaten 117, hitting seven fours and seven sixes. Shahid Wasif contributed 45, while Zeeshan Ali scored 15 and Ehsan Khan remained unbeaten on 35.
Sandeep Lamichhane took four wickets for Nepal, while Sher Malla claimed three.
Despite the defeat, Nepal had already secured a place in the semifinals after defeating Bahrain, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in the group stage.
Nepal, who finish as Group A winners, will face Oman in the semifinal on Thursday. Hong Kong will take on the United Arab Emirates in the other semifinal.
