Disappointment reigned for the Nepal Tigers in the ACC Premier Cup Twenty20. Their dream of retaining the championship was shattered by a narrow four-wicket defeat to Hong Kong in the third-place play-off. This loss also eliminates Nepal from contention for a spot in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

Under sunny skies at the Al Amrat Cricket Ground, Nepal opted to bat first after winning the toss. However, their innings sometimes sputtered, eventually reaching 139/8 in their 20 overs. The knock of the day came from the in-form Dipendrasingh Airee, who smashed an unbeaten 44 off just 29 deliveries. Captain Rohit Paudel, Sandeep Zora, Kushal Malla, and Sompal Kami all chipped in with handy contributions.

Hong Kong, needing 140 for victory, displayed grit and determination in their chase. The day’s hero was Anshuman Rath, who anchored the innings with a classy 65 not out off 50 balls, peppered with four boundaries and two sixes. Babar Hayat, Aizaz Khan, and Nasrullah Rana provided valuable support with crucial cameos, ensuring Hong Kong crossed the finish line with just a single ball remaining.

Sompal Kami was Nepal’s lone warrior with the ball, claiming three wickets. Dipendra Singh Airee continued his all-round performance by picking up two wickets.

This defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for Nepal, which had earlier bowed out in the semi-finals after a loss to UAE. It’s worth noting that Nepal dominated Hong Kong in the group stage encounter, securing an emphatic eight-wicket victory.

Hong Kong, meanwhile, can take heart from its spirited performance in the tournament despite falling short in the knockout stages. The focus now shifts to the final, where Oman will battle UAE for the coveted ACC Premier Cup title and a spot in the 2025 T20 Asia Cup.