Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Elsa Hunter scored a magnificent half-century as Malaysia defeated Nepal by four wickets to enter the final of the 2024 ACC Women’s Premier Cup.
Batting first after winning the toss at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Nepal scored 115 runs for the loss of six wickets. Malaysia overcame the target losing six wickets with a ball to spare.
Nepali batters got the start but failed to convert. Although opener Sita Rana Magar fell cheaply, scoring 6 runs off 13 balls, the other opener Kabita Kunwar scored 23 runs from 31 balls before she was run out. Indu Barma, Rubina Chhetry, and Dolly Bhattara all got good starts. While Indu scored 29 off 37 balls, Rubina scored an 18-ball 20, and Dolly scored a quickfire 25 from 14 balls. Other Nepali batters failed to reach double digits.
Mahirah Ismail took two wickets for Nepal, while Winifred Duraisingham contributed with a wicket. Three Nepali batters ran themselves out.
Chasing 116 to book a spot in the final, Malaysia lost both openers with just nineteen runs on the board. However, Hunter scored an unbeaten 69 off 53 balls to single-handedly win the match. Malaysia needed 11 runs in the final over of the match. Elsa stuck two fours, stole two runs in the fourth ball of the over to level the score, and took the winning run in the fifth ball of the final over.
Mahirah Izzati Ismail, Mas Elysa, and Wan Julia supported her, scoring 13, 16, and 11 runs, respectively.
Kabita Joshi and Sita Rana Magar took two wickets each for Nepal, while Kabita Kunwar and Rubina Chhetry had a wicket each to their names.
Malaysia will meet UAE, which defeated Thailand in the semifinal, in the final.
