Dipendra Airee, Basir Ahamad rescue Nepal before spinners seal Premier Cup final berth

KATHMANDU: Nepal defeated Oman by 87 runs at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to advance to the final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup.

After being dismissed for 147 in 45.4 overs, Nepal produced a dominant bowling performance to bowl Oman out for 60 in 28.1 overs.

Nepal will face the United Arab Emirates in Saturday’s final at the same venue. The UAE defeated Hong Kong by seven wickets in the second semi-final. The tournament champions will qualify for the 2027 Asia Cup.

Oman won the toss and elected to field, a decision their bowlers quickly justified. Aasif Sheikh fell for 11 before Dev Khanal was dismissed for 13.

Ishan Pandey made one and Rohit Paudel scored three as Nepal slipped to 36/4 in the 12th over.

Airee and Basir then rescued the innings with a patient 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The pair took Nepal from a position of considerable difficulty to 129/4.

Basir, brought into the playing XI in place of Arjun Kumal, scored 47 from 88 balls with three fours and a six. He fell three runs short of his half-century when he was caught behind off Mujibur Ali.

Airee completed his fifty but was bowled by Jay Odedra for 51 from 76 deliveries. His innings included four boundaries.

Nepal suffered another collapse after the partnership ended, losing their final six wickets for 18 runs. Gulsan Jha made seven, Karan KC scored five and captain Sandeep Lamichhane contributed three.

Odedra and Hassnain Shah took three wickets each for Oman. Muhammed Imran claimed two, while Shakeel Ahmed and Mujibur collected one apiece.

Nepal’s bowlers made the modest total appear far greater.

Lalit Rajbanshi struck in the opening over, stumping Hasnain Ul Wahab for a duck. He then removed Karan Sonavale for three to leave Oman struggling at 9/2.

Lamichhane bowled Hammad Mirza for five following a 42-ball stay and later dismissed Jatinder Singh for 25. Jatinder was Oman’s top scorer, but his dismissal left the chase in serious trouble at 43/4.

Airee followed his vital innings by removing Oman captain Vinayak Shukla for one with a return catch. Rohit then dismissed Mujibur Ali before Lamichhane trapped Jay Odedra to reduce Oman to 50/7.

Airee removed Shakeel Ahmed and Hassnain Shah to complete his three-wicket haul. Rohit claimed the final wicket as Oman were dismissed for 60.

Lamichhane finished with 3/9 from six overs, while Airee returned 3/11. Rohit took 2/7 from 4.1 overs and Lalit recorded 2/12, including two maidens.

The victory carried Nepal into their second final of the 2026 season against the UAE. Nepal defeated the UAE in the Asian Games Men’s T20I Qualifier final in June and will meet them again with a place at the 2027 Asia Cup at stake.