Nepal have posted a 185 runs target for Singapore in the semi-final of the ACC Men’s Under-16 East Zone Cup being held at the Bayuemas Oval in Malaysia on Monday.

Nepal put 184 runs on the board in 35 overs losing nine wickets as they chose to bat first after winning the toss.

Openers Suryanshu Koirala and Niraj Yadav gave a good start for Nepal, sharing a partnership of 63 runs in 11.3 overs. Koirala made 43 runs off 49 balls, hitting six hits to the fence as Yadav contributed 42 runs off 49 balls, smashing three fours and a six.

Nepal were under pressure after Ashish Luhar was dismissed for six runs, Naren Bhatta for three, while Pratik Bhattarai was dismissed for 12 runs.

Santosh Yadav scored 18 runs off 24 balls with two hits to the fence. After Ashok Dhami was dismissed for a golden duck, Captain Abhishek Tiwari and Dipu Kumar shared an important partnership of 39 runs for the eighth wicket. Tiwari played 25 runs knock as Kumar made unbeaten 12 runs.

Hariharan of Singapore claimed three Nepali scalps as Harsh Venkatram grabbed two wickets.

Nepal had reached the semi-final topping Group A with victories over Thailand and Malaysia.