Malaysian Captain Ahmed Faiz and Opener Virandeep Singh brought a century partnership as Malaysia posted a 236 runs target against Nepal in the opening match of the ACC Premier Cup 2023 being held at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur on Tuesday.

Faiz cracked a half-century, smashing nine boundaries and a six, to put up 76 runs off 95 balls on the scoreboard.

Similarly, Singh scored 46 runs off 94 balls before being caught by Nepal’s Sompal Kami in 37.1 overs.

Khizat Hayat also managed a 25-ball 22 before being bowled out by Kami.

Malaysia’s Fitri Sham was also sent back to the pavilion by the Nepali medium pacer for a duck.

For the Rhinos, Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane grabbed three wickets each, while Lalit Rajbanshi also managed to collect two wickets in his 10-over spell.

Meanwhile, Singapore have set a target of 175 runs against Hong Kong in a match being held simultaneously at the Mulpani cricket ground.

The Premier Cup will work as a qualification pathway towards the Asia Cup 2023, to be held in Pakistan in September this year.

Nepal are pitted in Group ‘A’ alongside Oman, Qatar, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Group ‘B’ consists of the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore and Bahrain.

The matches will be held at TU Cricket Ground and Mulpani Cricket Ground from April 18 to May 1.