Nepal Advances To Semifinals
Nepal secures ACC Premier Cup semifinal spot with a five-wicket victory over Saudi Arabia.
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Key Points
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Nepal’s chase was anchored by a 73-run third-wicket partnership between Dev Khanal and Ishan Pandey, followed by an unbeaten 61-run stand between Gulshan Jha and Rohit Paudel that secured the victory after Nepal briefly slipped to 125 for four.
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Saudi Arabia recovered from losing captain Waji Ul Hassan for a duck through a 94-run second-wicket partnership between Abdul Waheed and Muhammad Atif, but collapsed from 112 for two to 166 for nine as Nepal’s spinners took control.
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Sandeep Lamichhane’s three-wicket spell cost only 19 runs in 10 overs and included two maidens, while Lalit Rajbanshi took two wickets for 26 runs; Rajbanshi also dismissed both Saudi captain Waji Ul Hassan and Abdul Waheed.
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Saudi Arabia’s final-wicket pair of Ishtiaq Ahmad and Muhammad Saqib added 24 runs, with Saqib making 14 before Dipendra Singh Airee dismissed him in the final over and Ishtiaq finished unbeaten on 10.
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Saudi Arabia remained fourth in the standings on two points from four matches, while the 10-team tournament is split into two groups with the top two sides in each group advancing to the semifinals.
Nepal advanced to the ACC Men's Premier Cup semifinals with a five-wicket victory over Saudi Arabia in Kuala Lumpur, marking its third straight group-stage win Rising Nepal Daily. Chasing 191, Nepal reached 192 for five in 41 overs, powered by an unbeaten 61-run partnership between Gulshan Jha (44 not out) and Rohit Paudel (24). The win puts Nepal atop Group A with six points and sets up a final group match against Hong Kong on Tuesday Rising Nepal Daily.
Nepal's spinners dominated Saudi Arabia's innings, with Sandeep Lamichhane taking three wickets while conceding just 19 runs in 10 overs Asian News Network. Saudi Arabia was bowled out for 190 in 49.2 overs after Abdul Waheed's 77-run knock. The tournament winner will qualify for the 2027 Asia Cup, and the top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals Rising Nepal Daily.
Nepal Steadies After Midway Collapse
Nepal's chase looked shaky when the team slipped to 125 for four, but two strong partnerships rescued the innings Asian News Network. Dev Khanal and Ishan Pandey combined for a 73-run third-wicket stand that rebuilt momentum. Jha and Paudel then added an unbeaten 61 runs to seal victory without panic.
Saudi Arabia's Brief Resurgence Crumbles
Saudi Arabia began strongly after losing captain Waji Ul Hassan for a duck. Abdul Waheed and Muhammad Atif added 94 runs for the second wicket to stabilize the innings at 112 for two Asian News Network. But Nepal's spinners tightened their grip, bowling Saudi Arabia from a promising position to 166 for nine before a final 24-run stand delayed the collapse.
Lamichhane's Miserly Bowling Turns the Match
Sandeep Lamichhane's three-wicket haul was the standout bowling performance, with only 19 runs given up across 10 overs that included two maidens Asian News Network. Lalit Rajbanshi took two wickets for 26 runs, while Dipendra Singh Airee claimed one in the final over. Nepal's spin attack restricted Saudi Arabia's batters and forced the collapse from a mid-innings position of stability.
Nepal Heads to Knockouts After Group Stage
With six points from three wins, Nepal leads Group A and needs only one more result to confirm a semifinal berth Rising Nepal Daily. Hong Kong awaits on Tuesday in Nepal's final group match. Saudi Arabia sits fourth with two points, already facing an uphill climb to reach the knockout stage in the 10-team tournament split across two groups.
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