Nepal Clinches Asian Games Men’s Cricket Qualifiers

Nepal has clinched the Asian Games men’s cricket qualifiers in Singapore defeating Hong Kong by 19 runs in DLS method in the rain affected final.

Chasing Hong Kong’s target of 189 runs, Nepal had scored 114 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 11.3 overs when rain interrupted play. As the match could not continue, Nepal was declared the winner according to the DLS method. The DLS par score was 95, and Nepal was 19 runs ahead.

For Nepal, Kushal Bhurtel scored 65 runs off 40 balls before being dismissed. Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 35 runs, and Dipendra Singh Airee was unbeaten on 9 runs. For Hong Kong, Ehsan Khan and Ayush Shukla took one wicket each.

Earlier, half‑centuries from Anshuman Rath and Shahid Wasif helped Hong Kong post a strong total in the final. Losing the toss and batting first, Hong Kong scored 188 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs.

For Hong Kong, Anshuman Rath top‑scored with 80 runs off 45 balls, including 6 fours and 6 sixes. Shahid Wasif added 55 runs off 28 balls, while Shiv Mathur contributed 26 runs.

For Nepal, Sher Malla took 4 wickets for 32 runs in 4 overs. Karan KC claimed 2 wickets, and Sandeep Lamichhane took 1.

Both the finalists Nepal and Hong Kong along with Malaysia and Oman have qualified for the Asian Games in men’s cricket.