Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal began its ACC Men’s Premier Cup defense with a five-wicket victory over Malaysia in the 2024 ACC Men’s Premier Cup in Al Amerat, Oman, on Friday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Malaysia scored 143 runs for the loss of three wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Nepal scored 144 runs losing five wickets with four balls to spare.
The opening pair of Muhammad Amir and skipper Virandeep Singh added 35 runs for the first wicket for Malaysia. While Amir, who scored 16 off 18 balls, was caught and bowled by Dipendra Singh Airee in the sixth over, Singh frustrated Nepali bowlers as he scored an unbeaten 72 off 57 balls which included four sixes and as many fours. Sharvin Muniandy scored 41 off 33 balls. Other Malaysian batters failed to reach double digits.
Airee took two wickets for Nepal, while Abinash Bohara contributed with one wicket.
Chasing 144 runs for the victory, Nepal added 49 runs for the first wicket. Kushal Bhurtel scored a run-a-ball 44, while Aasif Sheikh and Captain Rohit Poudel contributed 32 and 28 runs, respectively. Although Kushal Malla fell cheaply, Airee scored 20 runs off 11 balls, while Sandeep Jora and Gulsan Jha remained unbeaten at 12 and 19 runs, respectively.
Captain Singh took three wickets for Malaysia, while Pavandeep Singh and Muhammad Wafiq had a wicket each to their names.
Nepal will play its next match against Qatar on Saturday.
