Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal lifted the title of 2026 Asian Games Men’s Qualifier, defeating Hong Kong, China by 19 runs (DLS method) in the final in Singapore on Monday.
Batting first, Hong Kong scored 188 runs for the loss of seven wickets. In reply, Nepal were cruising for 114 for the loss of two wickets in 11.3 overs when rain stopped the play.
Opener Kushal Bhurtel gave Nepal a flying start in the chase of 189, scoring 65 off 40 balls. Bhurtel hit eight fours and three sixes in his aggressive knock. Although fellow opener Asif Sheikh fell for a duck facing just one ball, Rhit Paudel scored an unbeaten 35 off 24 balls. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee made a not-out nine off four balls.
Ayush Shukla and Ehsan Khan took a wicket each for Hong Kong.
Earlier, opener Ansuman Rath powered Hong Kong to a big total, scoring 80 off just 45 balls. Although fellow opener Nizakat Khan fell for two and No.3 batter Babar Hayat was out for a duck, Rath found support from Shiv Mathur (26) and Shahid Wasif, who made 55 off just 28 balls. Other Hong Kong batters failed to reach double figures.
Sher Malla picked up four wickets for Npeal, while Karan KC claimed two and Sandeep Lamichhane had a wicket each to his name.
Earlier, Malaysia defeated Oman by eight wickets to win the third-place playoff.
All four semifinalists qualified for the 2026 Asian Games to be held in Japan later this year.
