KATHMANDU: Record-setting openers Mahesh Chhetri and Anil Mandal steered Nepal to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Singapore in the ACC Trophy Elite Cup at the Unity grounds in Kuwait today.

Chasing 217, Nepal overcame the target losing three wickets in 43.2 overs thanks to half centuries from Mahesh and Anil. The openers eased the run chase with a record 135-run stand for all wickets. The previous best partnership for all wickets was between Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar. Paras and Vesawkar had put on 130-runs for the fourth wicket against Fiji during the ICC World Cricket League Division-V in Kathmandu.

Anil was in a devastating form scoring 83 off just 93 balls, his highest score till date. His previous best was 72 made against Hong Kong in the tournament opener. While Anil tormented the Singaporean bowlers from the begining, Mahesh assumed a supporting role. Anil was bowled by Saad Janjua in the 26.5 overs after hitting seven fours and a six. Singapore had little respite even after his dismissal as Mahesh took over from where his partner left.

Nepal were reduced to 159-2 in the 32nd over when skipper Paras (eight) was caught by Chetan Suryawanshi off Pramodh Raja but Mahesh ensured Nepal cruise home with his prolific knock of 87 runs, also his highest individual score. His previous best highest was 65 against Vanuatu during the Division-V tournament in Jersey in 2008.

When Mahesh was dismissed in the 42nd over, Nepal needed only 13 more runs. Sharad (18 not out) and Dipendra Chaudhary (nine not out) safely guided their team home with more than six overs to spare. Man-of-the-match Mahesh struck eight fours in his 111-ball innings.

Earlier, Singapore top order batsmen laid the foundation for a big total only for the Nepali spinners to put brakes on their proceedings in the middle overs to restrict them for 216 in 49 overs. Chetan (32) and Buddhika Mendis (41) made a solid start putting on 66 for the first wicket. Munish Arora also contributed 55-ball 31 and Philip Childs top scored with a swift 40 off 31 balls but their dismissal meant only skipper Saad Janjua (29) put some resistance against the disciplined Nepali spinners.

Shakti Gauchan was the pick of the Nepali bowlers with 2-26 while Basant Regmi (1-45), Sanjam Regmi (1-41) and Rahul Kumar BK (1-32) claimed one wicket apiece. Nepal effected five run outs.

Nepal top Group A with six points after the third consecutive victory. Oman, hosts Kuwait and Hong Kong have two points each from as many matches while Singapore are winless and lie bottom of the table. Nepal will take on Kuwait at the same ground on Tuesday.

Score Board

SINGAPORE

Chetan c Amrit b Basanta 32

Buddhika run out 36

Munish c Mahesh b Shakti 31

Philip c & b Shakti 40

Narender st Mahesh b Rahul 7

Sagar run out 8

Saad run out 29

Pramodh run out 0

Dharmichand c Mehboob b Sanjam 17

Muhammad not out 6

Shoib run out 0

Extras: 10 (w10)

Total: 216 (49 Overs)

FoW: 1-66, 2-88, 3-122, 4-143, 5-157,

6-166, 7-168, 8-197, 9-216

Nepal bowling: Mehboob 5-0-26-0,

Amrit 5-1-20-0, Paras 9-1-26-0,

Basant 10-0-45-1, Sanjam 9-0-41-1,

Shakti 5-0-26-2, Rahul 6-0-32-1

NEPAL

Mahesh c Shoib b Philip 87

Anil b Saad 83

Paras c Chetan b Pramodh 8

Sharad not out 18

Dipendra not out 9

Extras: 12 (nb1, w9, lb2)

Total: 217/3 (43.2 Overs)

FoW: 1-135, 2-159, 3-204

Singapore bowling: Saad 9-2-46-1, Muhammad 4-0-19-0, Philip 3.2-0-23-1, Shoib 6-0-30-0, Buddhika 4-1-17-0,

Narender 3-0-26-0, Dharmichand 7-0-33-0, Pramodh 7-0-21-1