Nepal defeated Hong Kong by 19 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the rain-affected final of the Asian Games Men's T20I Qualifier in Singapore on June 8, 2026.
Hong Kong set a target of 189 runs after scoring 188 for 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
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Nepal reached 114 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 11.3 overs before heavy rain halted play permanently, ensuring their victory via the adjusted DLS target of 96 runs.
Bhurtel Leads Chase
Opener Kushal Bhurtel spearheaded the Nepali chase by scoring 65 runs off 40 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes.
Aasif Sheikh was dismissed for a duck.
Captain Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 35 runs from 24 balls alongside Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored 9 runs off 4 balls in what marked his 100th T20 international appearance.
Earlier in the match, Hong Kong constructed their total around opener Anshuman Rath, who scored 80 runs off 45 balls with six fours and six sixes after Nepal won the toss and elected to bowl.
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Rath established a significant partnership with wicketkeeper Shahid Wasif, who contributed a quick-fire 55 runs off 28 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.
Shiv Mathur added 26 runs from 21 balls for Hong Kong, while Nizakat Khan scored 2, Yasim Murtaza made 9, and Nasrullah Rana chipped in with 8 runs.
The Nepali bowling attack was led by Sher Malla, who claimed 4 wickets for 32 runs in his four-over spell, dismissing Nizakat Khan, Shiv Mathur, and Anshuman Rath.
Karan KC secured 2 wickets for 45 runs, including the early dismissal of Babar Hayat for a duck, while spinner Sandeep Lamichhane took 1 wicket.
Nepal advanced to the final after defeating Oman in the first semifinal on June 7, 2026, where Lokesh Bam top-scored with an unbeaten 44 runs.
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Both Nepal and Hong Kong had already secured their respective qualification spots for the upcoming Asian Games prior to the final match.
