Nepal has asserted its position as the leader of Group A in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup with an impressive 6 points from 3 matches. Their victories include a 5-wicket win over Malaysia, a 32-run triumph against Qatar, and a commanding 8-wicket domination over Hong Kong. Nepal’s final group stage match will be against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia currently holds second place with 2 points from their 2 matches, including 1 win and 1 loss. Their fate hangs in the balance, with matches against Qatar on Tuesday and Nepal on Wednesday. If Saudi Arabia secures victories in both matches, they will advance directly to the semi-finals. A single defeat, however, will leave them dependent on other teams’ results and net run rates.
Malaysia, Qatar, and Hong Kong occupy third, fourth, and bottom positions respectively, each with 2 points in 3 matches. The remaining four teams will battle for a semi-final berth.
In Group B, Oman and the UAE are tied with 4 points each from their opening 2 matches. Oman currently leads on net run rate. A crucial match between Oman and the UAE is underway today, and the result will likely determine Nepal’s semi-final opponent.
The stakes are high in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup, as only the tournament winner will secure a coveted spot in the T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place after the T20 World Cup.
