KATHMANDU: Nepali cricket team led by skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel secured top position on the Group A table of the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) U-19 Eastern Region 2019 cricket tournament with a 217-run victory over Singapore on Friday.

Nepal, who had already qualified for the semi-finals of this seven-team tournament, won the toss and elected to bat first at Kinrara Oval Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After a strong opening partnership by Rit Gautam and Pawan Sarraf of 160 runs, Nepal set a target of 326 runs for four wickets in 50 overs.

Opening batsman Gautam scored a 115 not-out of 137 balls followed by a solid performance by Khadak Bahadur Bohara making 90 runs of 90 balls.

Nepal's bowling attack destroyed the Singaporean batting order in this steep run chase getting Singapore all-out at a total of 209 runs in 39.1 overs. Kushal Malla's incredible bowling spell taking four wickets and conceding only 14 runs in nine overs crippled the opposition.

Gautam was awarded the Player of the Match for his wonderful performance.

Nepal will face the second place contender of Group B in the semi-final match at STC Oval Stadium on Monday, July 8.