Papua New Guinea (PNG) have set a target of 172 runs against Nepal in the final match of the Hong Kong T20I Series in Mong Kok, Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Sent to bat first after losing the toss, PNG were off to a bleak start, losing early wickets in quick succession.

Opener Sese Bau was caught by Akash Chand for a duck in just the second delivery of the innings while captain Assad Vala and Lega Siaka were also dismissed cheaply for two runs each.

Hiri Hiri was next to go, putting 15 runs, including two hits to the fences and a maximum, in his 9-knock play.

Tony Ura and Hila Vare (18) brought some much-needed stability to PNG innings, sharing a 47-run stand before Vare was caught leg-before by Kushal Bhurtel in 11.5 overs.

Opener Ura muscled five boundaries and four sixes putting 61 runs, the highest of the innings, on the scoreboard. He faced 37 deliveries before being caught by Bibek Yadav off Bhurtel in 13.4 overs.

Likewise, wicketkeeper Kiplin Donga and Chad Soper also contributed 14 and 13 runs respectively to help the PNG amass a total of 171 in the stipulated 20 overs.

Alei Nao (10) and Kabua Morea (3) remained unbeaten.

For the Rhinos, Kushal Bhurtel and Akash Chand claimed three PNG scalps each while Karan KC and Gulshan Jha also grabbed a wicket apiece.

Nepal progressed into the final as group winners with three points after defeating Papua New Guinea by 85 runs on Tuesday. Their opening match against Hong Kong was washed out by the rain.