Nepali national cricket team emerged the winner of the Asian Games Men's
Qualifiers by clinching a 19-run win over Hong Kong in the final held under the DL method on Monday.
Chasing a 189-run target set by Hong Kong, Nepal scored 114 runs for the loss of two wickets in 11.3 overs when the match was stopped due to rain. Nepal registered the victory in the DL method after the rain played spoilsport.
For Nepal, Rohit Paudel scored 35 runs and captain Deependra Singh Airi remained unbeaten on nine runs. Opener Kushal Bhurtel contributed 65 runs. He hit 8 fours and 3 sixes off 40 deliveries.
Another opener Aashif Sheikh returned to the pavilion for a duck. Rohit and Kushal Bhurtel shared a 63-run partnership in 46 balls for the second wicket.
Earlier, Hong Kong, who batted first at the Singapore National Cricket Ground, had notched up 188 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.
For Hong Kong, Anshy Rath scored the highest 80 runs. He hit 6 fours and 6 sixes off 45 balls. Shahid Wasif scored 55 runs while Shiva Mathur contributed 26 runs. The other batsmen could not achieve significant runs.
In reply, Sher Malla took the highest 4 wickets. Karan KC took 2 wickets and Sandeep Lamichhane took 1 wicket for Nepal.
Along with Nepal, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman have already booked their berth in the 20th Asian Games 2026 to be held in Japan through the Asian Games Qualifiers.
These four teams will compete in the Asian Games along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Japan, as the host nation, has qualified for the Asian Games.
Men's cricket in the Asiad will begin on September 4, with the final match scheduled for October 3.
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