Nepal Secures Semifinal Berth in ACC Premier Cup Cricket with Victory Over Saudi Arabia

Nepal’s cricket team clinched a convincing six-wicket victory over Saudi Arabia in their final group stage match of the ACC Premier Cup Cricket tournament, securing a spot in the semifinals with an unbeaten record in the group stage.

The match, held at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground in Oman, was shortened to eight overs per side due to rain interruptions. Opting to bat first after losing the toss, Saudi Arabia set a target of 74 runs for Nepal to chase.

In pursuit of the target, Nepal’s batsmen showcased their prowess, reaching the target in just 7.2 overs while losing four wickets along the way. Gulshan Jha played a pivotal role with an unbeaten knock of 32 runs off 19 balls, supported by Dipendra Singh Airee’s 17 runs and skipper Rohit Paudel’s 16 runs.

Despite a valiant effort from Saudi Arabia’s bowlers, including Ishtiaq Ahmed who claimed two wickets, Nepal’s batsmen managed to chase down the target comfortably.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia posted a total of 73 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted eight overs. Abdul Waheed was the standout performer with the bat, scoring 37 runs off just 16 balls. However, disciplined bowling from Nepal’s Karan KC, Abinash Bohara, Pratis GC, and Llait Rajbanshi restricted Saudi Arabia’s scoring opportunities.

With this victory, Nepal concludes the group stage with an unbeaten record, having previously defeated Malaysia, Qatar, and Hong Kong in their earlier matches. Their dominant performances throughout the tournament have positioned them as strong contenders for the ACC Premier Cup Cricket title.

As Nepal advances to the semifinals, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate their continued success in the tournament as they strive to bring home yet another trophy for the nation.