Kathmandu, February 8:

Nepal kept their 100 per cent winning record intact with a four-wicket victory over Singapore while Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also made it to the semi-finals here at the ACC U-17 Elite Cup today.

Nepal and Qater advanced to the last four as Group ‘A’ winners and runners up respectively. Nepal earned maximum six points while Qatar, who ended their league matches on Saturday, accumulated four points from three matches. Malaysia topped Group ‘B’ after winning their third match against Bahrain by 57 runs while the UAE advanced as runners up after beating Kuwait by 100 runs.

Electing to field first after Prithu Baskota won the toss at the TU Stadium, Nepal restricted Singapore to 139-9 and surpassed the total losing six wickets in 31.3 overs. Vikas Raj Gopal top scored for Singapore with 33-ball 20. Sagar Pun took 3-25 from seven overs for Nepal. Krishna Karki, Bhuwan Karki and Rochak Bhatta claimed one wickets apiece.

Nepali openers made a confident start adding 25 runs before Kriten Gurung (nine) was out in

the fourth over. Kriten’s opening partner Sagar Pun put on another 26 runs with Aakash Singh Pariyar (seven) to guide Nepal 51 when man of the match Pun was stumped by wicketkeeper Temothy Singham off Abhiraj Rajdeep Singh.

Nepal lost four more wickets but were never in trouble as skipper Prithu held the innings together with a patient knock of not out 18 from 48 balls. Nischal Chaudhary top scored with 38 from 34 balls hitting six fours and one six while Pradeep Airee chipped in with run-a-ball 15. Abhiraj was the pick of the Singapore bowlers with 3-27 .

At the Pulchowk Engineering College, Malaysia scored 185-9 and restricted Bahrain for 128 in 33.4 overs. Man of the match Ahmad Zahid Adnan scored unbeaten 65 off 58 balls. Vishakh Chandra Shekhar took three wickets for Bahrain. Cyrus D’Souza fought a lonely battle for Baharain with 42-run contribution made from 82 balls. Mohammed Bakri Amin bagged four wickets for Malaysia.

In Bhaktapur, the UAE were bowled out for 205. In reply, Kuwait could only manage 105 in 34.1 overs. Man of the match Shaahz Ahmed top scored with 45 off 43 for the UAE. Opener Ali Zaher (50) was the stand out batsman for Kuwait.

In Tuesday’s semi-finals, Nepal will take on UAE at the TU Stadium and Malaysia face Qatar at the Pulchowk Engineering College.