Singapore beat Nepal by 82 runs in the final match of the ICC World T20 Asia Qualifier 2019 to qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers. The victory took Singapore’s points tally to seven, which is three points clear of second-placed Nepal in the team standings for the ICC T20 World Cup Asia Region Final 2019. Singapore also finished unbeaten in the tournament. They won three games, while a fourth against Kuwait was washed out due to rain. ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2019 Points Table Updated: Singapore Remain on Top of Asian Regional Finals Qualifier Team Standings.

Singapore, who were already on top of the points table even before this encounter and led Nepal by one point, had to prevent their opposition from winning this final match to secure progression into the Global Qualifiers round. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.

Singapore Progress into Global Qualifiers

Nepal landed an early blow with KC Karan dismissing Surendran Chandramohan in the second over but Tim David partnered opener Rohan Rangarajan (49) to rescue Singapore with an 89-run partnership. When Rohan was dismissed in the 11 over, Singapore had already put 99 runs on the scoreboard with the right-hander smashing three fours and four sixes during his 33 ball stay.

Tim David, who was awarded the Man of the Match, top-scored for his side with a knock of 77 from 43 deliveries that comprised of eight fours and three maximum hits to the fence. Wicket-keeper Manpreet Singh’s late surge propelled the home team to 191/6 in 20 overs. Singh quick-fired a 27-ball 42 with three fours and two sixes.

Avinash Bohara was the chief wicket-taker for Nepal with 4/35 in four overs. KC Karan took the other two wickets. Nepal’s star bowler Sandeep Lamichhane finished wicket-less while also giving away 34 runs in his three overs.

In reply, Nepal were off to a brisk start but lost skipper and opening batsman Paras Khadka in the fourth over with the score reading 27/1. The second wicket fell after another 27-run stand and Nepal never really got going from there. They were eventually bowled out for 109 runs in 15 overs with Selladore Vijaykumar running through the Nepal middle order.

Vijaykumar finished with 4/25, while Vinoth Baskaran took two wickets. All other bowlers chipped in with a wicket each. Opener Gyanendra Malla was Nepal’s top-scorer with a 21-ball 39 runs, while Dipendra Singh Airee made run-a-ball 23. No other batsmen managed to cross the 20-run barrier with only four reaching double figures.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 28, 2019 11:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).