Hong Kong’s fifth and last match of the group stage saw them come up against Nepal at UKM oval. A win would see Hong Kong progress through to the final, and Nepal would required a win by a very large margin in order to keep their hopes alive. Overnight rain meant that the start time was pushed back 45 minutes, and contrary to what was believed may happen, Nepal won the toss and elected to bat.

Tanwir Afzal took the new ball, and his first ball drifted down the leg side for a wide. The next ball could not have been more the polar opposite, as he delivered an in-swinging delivery that caught the inside edge of Khukarel and then onto the stumps, much to the jubilation of the Hong Kong boys. This early wicket resulted in a huge amount of energy, and this theme continued throughout the bowling innings. Wickets fell at regular intervals, with the dangerous Paras Khadka the next to go, dismissed by Ehsan Nawaz for 14 - Scott McKenchnie taking a good diving catch to his right. Dot ball pressure was all that was need from the Hong Kong bowlers, with Nepalese batsman often getting out after a long periods of disciplined bowling. They struggled to find a way to score, with the run rate staying below 3 for much of their innings. In the 21st over, Nepal found themselves at 6-55, with any hope of posting a big total seemingly out the window.

Sompal Khami was the 7th wicket to fall, chopping onto his stumps, but from there Nepal were able to string a small partnership together. Basat Regmi and Aarif Sheikh pushed the total to 92 before Sheikh fell in the 35th over off the bowling of Ehsan Khan. Khan then cleaned up the tail dismissing Nepal for 95, Finishing with figures of 4/15 off his 8 overs, arguably the pick of the bowlers for Hong Kong.

(Photo Credit: ACC)

Due to the early conclusion of the Nepal innings Hong Kong were required to bat for 35 mins prior to the lunch break. Carter and Rath started positively with Carter dispatched his first ball of Sompal Kamis spell over extra cover for four. Spin was introduced very early from both ends, and this made the game take a very interesting turn. Carter fell for 8, being bowled around his legs by Sandeep Lamichane, and after several big swings Babar Hayat soon fell victim to a Lamichane googly, departing for 2.

Lunch came and went, and Nizakat Khan fell soon after, flicking a simple catch off Sagar Pun to mid-wicket after being bogged down. Kinchit shah joined Rath, and their small partnership of 31 was crucial in playing a stabilizing role, before Shah fell for 11 off 39 balls.

Tension was high in the camp as the wicket started to deteriorate. Rath led from the front, playing smartly against the attacking bowling of Lamichane whilst milking spinners from the other end. He brought up his 50 with a six over deep mid wicket, but fell the ball after for 54. This meant that two new batsmen were now at the crease with the score at 5/83 in the 27th over. Only 13 runs were required, but they proved to be a very nervy few overs, with two more wickets falling before the total of 96 was eventually passed in the 32nd over.

（Photo Credit:ACC)

Rath, who was awarded man of the match, later said “Another great performance by the bowlers. To restrict both ODI nations in this tournament for under 100 is a special effort. There are still plenty of things that need to be sorted out before the final but the momentum is with us and I could not be prouder of the lads for the way they have bounced back after the first game. Bring on the final”