Hosts Nepal made multiple records on Friday in their thumping 84-run victory over Oman as they pulled off their second victory to inch closer to the semi-final of the ACC Premier Cup at the TU ground in Kirtipur.

The home team posted their highest One-Day International (ODI) total of 310-8 after Oman won the toss and opted to bowl first. With the ball, they bowled out the visitors for 226 runs in 46.3 overs after their last remaining batter Aqib Ilyas picked up an injury and retired hurt without facing a single delivery.

There were doubts if the match would be decided through the D/L method as the game was interrupted briefly time and again due to inclement weather.

The victory lifted Nepal to the top of Group ‘A’ standings with four points, while Oman are placed third on two points and remain behind Malaysia on net run rate. The winners of the 10-team tournament will qualify for Asia Cup.

It was the first occasion that Nepal reached the 300 run mark in an ODI match surpassing their previous highest score of 297 runs against Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the World Cup League 2 match last month at the same venue. It was also the 50th ODI for Nepal who played their first ODI against the Netherlands in 2018.

Kushal Malla also set a new batting record for Nepal, scoring his first and the fastest ODI century for Nepal off 59 balls. He slammed nine hits to the fence and 10 sixes to surpass the previous fastest century record of captain Rohit Paudel who had achieved the feat off 91 deliveries against PNG in 2022.

“It feels great to perform and play a role in the team's victory,” said Malla. “I played my normal game and followed the instructions of coach (Monty Desai).”

Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane set yet another sensational record, becoming the first international cricket player to reach the 100 ODI wickets milestone from the least number of games. He achieved the feat playing only 42 games, surpassing Afghani bowler Rashid Khan’s record of fastest to 100 wickets from 44 games set in March 2018.

Nepal’s shaky start

Put into bat first, Nepal were off to a shaky start, losing openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheik for ducks. Bilal Khan had Bhurtel leg before wicket in the second over and Kaleemullah bowled Sheikh. But a quickfire century from Malla and an unconquered half century by Sompal, created history for Nepal.

Nepal lost Paudel for a 34-ball 23 and Bhim Sharki for 33 runs off 56 balls with the duo putting up a 54-run stand for the third wicket. The captain was caught by Kashyap Prajapati off a delivery by Fayyaz Butt. Sharki, who hit four fours and a six, was stumped by wicketkeeper Adeel Shafique off Zeeshan Maqsood as Nepal were left tottering at 72-4 at one stage.

Aarif Sheik was the next batter to be dismissed, adding 29 runs off 43 balls. Malla, who came in to bat at number six, gave the much-needed stability to Nepali innings, smashing a quickfire 108 runs off 64 deliveries. He became the sixth Nepali player to score an ODI century after former captain Paras Khadka, Dipendra Singh Airee, Aasif, Bhurtel and captain Paudel.

Ayaan Khan caught Malla, who was named player-of-the-match for the second game in a row, at long-on off an Aqib Ilyas delivery.

Allrounder Kami, batting at number eight, slammed an unbeaten 63 runs off 48 balls studded with nine hits to the fence. Karan KC played a cameo, a 15-ball 29, remaining not out.

Oman’s Ayaan Khan claimed two wickets in his five-over spell, conceding 46 runs while six other bowlers took a wicket each.

In Oman's run chase, they lost wickets at regular intervals and were left struggling at 55-4 at one stage. Middle order batter Mohammad Nadeem scored 65 off 84 balls that included seven hits to the fence and a six. Medium pacer Karan KC had him caught by skipper Paudel.

Sandeep Goud was the other notable scorer for Oman, contributing 46 runs off 56 balls studded with three boundaries and two sixes. Goud also shared a 96-run partnership with Nadeem before Dipendra Singh Airee had him caught by Kami.

Opener Jantinder Singh was dismissed for 15 runs by spinner Lalit Rajbanshi. Lamichhane dismissed Adeel Shafiuqe (15), trapping him leg before wicket and captain Zeeshan Maqsood for a duck—getting them both in the 12th over leaving Oman struggling at 52-3.

Lamichhane then dismissed opener Kashyap Prajapati for 25 runs, trapping him leg before wicket off the first delivery of the 15th over. Ayaan Khan (29) and Fayyaz Butt (19) were the other contributors for Oman.

Nepal’s Lamichhane and KC grabbed three wickets apiece while Airee took two. KC gave away 62 runs in his 8.3 overs while Lamichhane conceded 45 runs in his eight overs.

Lamichhane’s 100-wicket landmark

The 22-year-old leg spinner Lamichhane, who marked his ODI debut against Netherlands in Amstelveen in August 2018, reached his 100th wicket milestone after he trapped Adeel Shafiuqe leg before wicket off the third delivery of the 13th over. He also bowled out Zeeshan Maqsood off the last delivery of the same over before trapping opener Kashyap Prajapati leg before wicket to wrap up with three wickets against his name.

Lamichhane, the globe trotting and most sought after cricketer of Nepal, is currently facing an alleged rape charge by a minor. He is currently released on bail and the final verdict in the alleged rape case is expected to come on Monday.

Hong Kong beat UAE on D/L method

In Group ‘B’ match at Mulpani ground, Hong Kong defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 67 runs on D/L method to register their second victory from as many games.

Put in to bat first, Hong Kong posted 263-8 on the back of a century by Anshy Rath. In the UAE's run chase, the play was stopped in the 27th over due to windy conditions with 117-6 on board. Hong Kong was announced the winners.

UAE’s opener Aryan Lakra was unbeaten on 52 runs off 71 balls at the time the game was called off. Earlier, Hong Kong’s Rath scored 106 runs off 117 balls that included 11 hits to the fence.