SATV, Kathmandu, Sept. 11: The Nepali national men’s cricket team moved to within one win of securing a place in the Asia Cup after defeating Oman by 87 runs in the semi-final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Nepal overcome a sluggish first-innings batting display with an exceptional spin-bowling performance to defend a modest total.
Nepal will now face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Saturday’s final at the same venue, after the UAE comfortably dispatched Hong Kong by seven wickets in the second semi-final.
The tournament champion will secure direct qualification for the Asia Cup. Nepal won the inaugural Premier Cup on home soil in 2023 by defeating the UAE at the TU Cricket Ground to seal Asia Cup qualification, but failed to reach the main tournament in the following edition after losing to the same opposition in the semi-finals.
Chasing 148 for victory, Oman were bundled out for just 60 in 28.1 overs. Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Lalit Rajbanshi (2-12) and off-spinner Rohit Paudel (2-7) choked the runs early, before captain Sandeep Lamichhane (3-9) and all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee (3-11) sliced through the middle and lower order.
Jatinder Singh (25 off 41 balls) and Jiten Ramanandi (13 off 42) were the only Omani batters to reach double figures.
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat, Nepal crumbled to 147 all out in 45.4 overs.
The innings got off to a disastrous start as the top order collapsed to 36 for four inside 12 overs.
Openers Aasif Sheikh (11) and Dev Khanal (13), who replaced Arjun Kumal, both fell to medium-pacer Muhammad Imran.
Ishan Pandey (1) and skipper Paudel (3) quickly followed them back to the pavilion. Airee and Basir Ahamad mounted a crucial rescue mission, constructing a steady 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Mujibur Ali broke the stand by having Ahamad caught for a well-made 47 off 88 balls. Airee completed a fighting half-century, making 51 off 76 balls before being clean-bowled by Viram Odedara.
The collapse resumed once the pair were separated, as Nepal lost their final five wickets for just 18 runs. Karan KC (5), Gulshan Jha (7), Lamichhane (3), and Sher Malla (0) fell in rapid succession.
Odedara (3-26) and Hassnain Shah (3-28) were the pick of the bowlers for Oman, while Mohammad Muhammed claimed two wickets.
Airee was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance with both bat and ball.
Speaking after the match, captain Lamichhane praised the pivotal fifth-wicket partnership: "Airee and Ahamad stepped up when it mattered most. It was Ahamad's first match of the tournament, and he alongside Airee adapted to the conditions brilliantly. The wicket was tricky; 180 would have been ideal, so defending 147 was a real challenge.
Everyone needed to raise their game, and the team showed great resilience to turn things around after a poor showing with the bat."
