Nepal secured a semi-final berth in the ACC Premier Cup with a match in hand after their third league match against Saudi Arabia on Monday at the Mulpani Stadium was rained off.

Nepal and Saudi Arabia shared a point each after the match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Nepal, the only unbeaten team in Group ‘A’, have five points from three matches in the five-team group. Oman are placed second on four points and the Saudis third at three points after playing an equal three matches. The winner between the two sides who will play on Wednesday at TU ground will progress as the other semi-finalist from the group.

The winners of both groups will qualify for the semi-finals and the champion will book their ticket for the Asia Cup finals scheduled for September.

Fourth-placed Malaysia and fifth-placed Qatar crashed out of the group. Malaysia, yet to play their last group match against Qatar, have two points, while Qatar are languishing at the bottom of the table, having two matches in hand.

The Group ‘B’ match scheduled at TU ground between leaders Hong Kong and Bahrain was also abandoned due to inclement weather. Hong Kong lead the team standings on five points and Bahrain are placed third on three points. The United Arab Emirates are second on the points table with four points with the top three sides playing an equal three games each. Kuwait are placed fourth on two points and are yet to play two games, while Singapore are already out of the semi-final race with a match in hand.

Kuwait will play against Singapore at TU ground on Tuesday and Malaysia will lock horns with Qatar at Mulpani.