ACC Premier Cup: Nepal reaches finals, remaining match cancelled due to rain

KATHMANDU, April 29: After the cancellation of the semi-final match against Kuwait, Nepal has entered the final of the ACC Premier Cup. According to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), Nepal, the winner of Group A, has succeeded in entering the finals based on the performance in the group stage being better than Kuwait, the runner-up of Group B.

In the match shortened to 42-42 overs due to rain, Nepal batted first and scored 281 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, setting a target of 281 runs on the basis of Duckworth Lewis, and Kuwait lost 6 wickets in 8.3 overs and scored 37 runs.

Karan KC was heavy on Kuwait, as in only 10 balls he returned 5 players of Kuwait to the pavilion. Similarly, Sompal Kami took one wicket.

Earlier, Captain Rohit Paudel became the hero for Nepal scoring 94 runs off 94 balls. Paudel hit 7 fours and 3 sixes before getting out in the 41st over. 

Nepal started great with Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Ashif Shaikh sharing a 77-run partnership by scoring runs at a fast pace. But Bhurtel was out after scoring 43 runs in 39 balls. Then Nepal lost three wickets with a gap of 3 runs. Bhim Sarki was out after scoring only one run, and soon Sheikh was also out after scoring 31 runs.