Kathmandu: Holders Nepal registered a resounding nine-wicket victory over Malaysia in the semifinal of the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup on Thursday setting up the  title clash against Singapore at the Selangor Turf Club in Kuala Lumpur.

Opting to bowl first, Nepal bundled out Malaysia for 90 runs in 43.1 overs after Abhay Yadav and Shubham Khanal shared seven wickets between them. In reply, opener Parimarjan Yadav slammed an unbeaten half-century as Nepal chased down the target in 11.1 overs finishing at 92-1.      

In the other semi-final played in Bangi, Singapore saw off Hong Kong by four wickets after they chased a 169-run target in 38.5 overs scoring 173-6. 

Nepal and Singapore will vie in the title clash on Saturday at the YSD UKM Oval in Bangi. 

Nepal put the Malaysian batters under pressure right from the start of the innings and never allowed them to settle. Captain Deeaz Petro, who came in at number four, and lower-middle-order batter Muhammad Fathul Muin were the only players to reach double figures. Deeaz scored 10 while Muhammad contributed a fighting 38 off 71 balls.

Abhay was the standout performer with the ball taking 4-15 in his 10-over spell which earned him the man-of-the-match award. Shubham pocketed 3-12 in his 10 overs bowling that included four maiden overs. 

In the run chase, opener Parimarjan and Shiwansh Bajgain shared an unbroken partnership of 75 runs for the second wicket. Parimarjan slammed 59 off 35 that included five hits to fences and sixes each. Shiwansh contributed 23 off 22, studded with five hits to fences. Other opener Prashiddha Jaishi was dismissed on two runs. 

Nagineswaran Sathnakumaran claimed the only wicket of Nepal.