Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 ACC Men’s U19 Premier Cup with a commanding 119-run victory over Hong Kong in their second group-stage match in Ajman, UAE, on Thursday.
Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal posted 270 for the loss of seven wickets. In reply, Hong Kong were dismissed for 151 in 40.5 overs.
Captain Ashok Dhami led from the front for Nepal with a blistering 73 off 51 balls. Earlier, openers Niraj Kumar Yadav (22) and Vansh Chhetri (24) put on 41 for the first wicket. Although Nischal Kshetri (3) departed early, Nepal maintained momentum through useful contributions from Cibrin Shrestha (25), Dilsad Ali (32), Darsh Sonar (45) and Roshan Bishwakarma.
For Hong Kong, Daniel Mapp and Abhimanyu Ganesan claimed two wickets each, while Preet K Mangukiya and Aftab Hussain took one apiece.
Hong Kong began their chase with a 22-run opening stand. Openers Jude Li (22) and Reyansh Sharma (18) got starts but failed to convert. Captain Shiv Mathur top-scored for Hong Kong with 30, followed by Abdul Samad Khan (19), Aarez Dar (15) and Aftab Hussain (10). The rest of the batting line-up did not reach double figures.
Aparjit Poudel starred with the ball for Nepal, taking four wickets. Captain Dhami added three more, while Dayanand Mandal, Sushil Bahadur Rawal and Roshan Bishwakarma picked up one wicket each.
Nepal will face Malaysia in the semifinal on Sunday. Oman and the UAE will contest the other semifinal the same day.
The final is scheduled for December 1.
