KATHMANDU: Nepal kicked off their campaign in the ACC U-16 East Zone Cup with a convincing win over Singapore at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Malaysia.

Nepal successfully chased down Singapore’s target of 139 runs in 33.3 overs, losing 4 wickets in the process. For Nepal, Prasiddha Jaishi was the standout batsman, scoring a solid 55 runs off 97 balls with 5 fours. Raunak Srivastava contributed a quickfire 40 runs off 44 balls, including 5 fours and 1 six.

Shubham Khanal remained unbeaten with 9 runs. Suryanshu Koirala scored 9 runs off 7 balls before retiring hurt, while wicketkeeper Shivansh Bajgain made 9 runs off 16 balls. Joy Thapa added 4 runs from 12 balls, and Sugam Budhathoki was dismissed without scoring.

On the bowling front for Nepal, Abhay Yadav and Shubham Khanal each took one wicket. Singapore’s innings was highlighted by captain Riyan Naik, who scored a half-century — 53 runs off 53 balls with 9 fours. Opener Ahan Bhutantham made 38 runs off 33 balls with 7 fours. However, other batsmen failed to make significant contributions, and the team was all out for 138 in 36.1 overs.

Nepal’s bowling attack was led by Bipin Sharma, who took 4 wickets for 34 runs in 10 overs, including one maiden over. Sachin Bhatta supported well, taking 3 wickets for 18 runs in 6.1 overs with 2 maidens. Akash Teja from Singapore also bowled well, taking 3 wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs, and Yuvan Pandey took 1 wicket.