Nepal registered a massive 221 runs victory over Malaysia to clinch the title of the ACC Men’s Under-16 East Zone Cup 2023 held at the Bayuemas Oval in Malaysia on Tuesday.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal made 252-8 in the stipulated 35 overs on the back of an unbeaten century by Naren Bhatta.

Malaysia were bundled out for 31 runs in 14.5 overs in the run chase.

Bhatta smashed 10 hits to the fence and two sixes, putting up an impressive 112 runs off 89 deliveries.

Opener Suryanshu Koirala was dismissed in 7.2 overs for a 23-ball 18 after being caught by Hamzah Panggi off Areean Aqeel.

Another opener Niraj Yadav smashed six boundaries to put up 47 runs off 49 balls. He was trapped leg before by Muhammad Fathul Muin in 16.2 overs.

Pratik Bhattarai and Dipu Kumar were run out for one and five runs respectively.

Santosh Yadav scored 26 runs off 29 deliveries as he shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 103 runs with Bhatta. Yadav gave away his wicket to Muhammad Akram in 31.2 overs.

In the run chase, the hosts crumbled as they lost early wickets in quick succession with opener Muhammad Asyqal being sent back for a golden duck.

Likewise, Captain Muhammad Aalif was also dismissed for a measly 9-ball 2. He was bowled out by Abhishek Tiwari in 2.6 overs.

Apart from Muhammad Akram, none from the Malaysian side scored in double digits, with five batters being sent back for a duck. Akram, too, only managed 10 runs off 12 deliveries before being caught by Sagar Gaire off Santosh Yadav in 10.2 overs.

Tiwari shone with the ball as he claimed five Malaysian scalps. Santosh Yadav dismissed three batters while Gaire and Dhami also grabbed a wicket apiece.