Kushal Malla and Bhim Sharki cracked half-centuries as Nepal registered a 6-wicket win over Malaysia in the opening match of the ACC Premier Cup 2023 held at the TU cricket ground on Tuesday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Malaysia Captain Ahmed Faiz and opener Virandeep Singh brought a century partnership, posting a 236 runs target for Nepal.

Malla scored an unbeaten 40-ball 70, helping the Rhinos put up 237 runs on the scoreboard and secure a victory in the first match of the series. The player of the match smashed five boundaries and five sixes.

Similarly, Sharki smashed five boundaries, top-scoring at 71 runs off 98 balls. The right-handed batter was sent back to the pavilion after being caught by Virandeep Singh in 35.5 overs.

Captain Rohit Kumar Paudel put up 42 runs off 43 balls while opener Kushal Bhurtel smashed five boundaries and two sixes, scoring 38 runs off 31 balls.

Paudel was caught by Muhammad Amir in 21.5 overs while Bhurtel was also caught by Rizwan Haider in 9.1 overs.

Similarly, Aasif Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee managed a measly 1 and 5 runs respectively off three deliveries each.

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

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.