KATHMANDU: Nepal survived a Suresh Navaratnam (115) scare to register a thrilling eight-run victory over Malaysia in the ACC Trophy Elite Cup semi-final match at the Hubara grounds in Kuwait today.

This is Nepal’s first appearance in final since 2002 in Singapore where they lost to the UAE.

Put into bat first, Nepal scored a mammoth 271-6 in 50 overs but were staring agonisingly at a defeat when Suresh smashed the bowlers all around the park taking his team close to victory target. Suresh was taking the match away from Nepal until skipper Paras Khadka had the dangerman caught by Sanjam Regmi to make it 257-8 in 48.2 overs.

Another dangerman Shafiq Sharaf, who hit an explosive 18-ball 31, was run out, after just two runs added on the board. Malaysia were 258-9 in 49 overs needing 14 runs from the last over. Basanta Regmi bowled the last man Sharulnizam Yusof (two) in the fourth ball of the 50th over to ignite the wild celebrations.

Earlier, Malaysia were tottering at 45-3 by the 13th over before Suresh and skipper Suhan Kumar consolidated the innings, putting on 82 runs for the fourth wicket. Suhan scored 70 off 89 balls with six boundaries while man-of-the-match Suresh made a superb 115, hitting six fours and three sixes in his 103-ball knock. Paras, left-arm seamer Mehboob Alam and offspinner Basanta Regmi took two wickets each for Nepal. Shakti Gauchan and Rahul Kumar BK also bagged one wicket apiece.

Earlier, Sharad Vesawkar missed out on a century with three runs after Shakti Gauchan, Gynendra Malla and Mahesh Chhetri (43) had laid a solid platform. Sharad remained unbeaten on 97 with 10 fours and a six in his fiery 66-ball knock. Nepal had a poor start losing in-form opener Anil Mandal (four) at 11-2 but Mahesh and Shakti guided their team to 98-2 with a 87-run second wicket stand. Sharad and Gyanendra then combined to add further 115 runs for the fifth wicket to help post a huge total.

Losing early wicket of Anil meant Mahesh made a patient 43 off 86 ball while Shakti scored an uncharacterstic 57-ball 52 that included four hits to the fence. Gyanendra hit two fours in his 61-ball 49 before being bowled by Sharulnizam Yusof. Suresh, Sharulnizam and Eszrafiq Azis took two wickets each for Malaysia.

Nepal will play for the championship against Afghanistan, who beat Hong Kong by five wickets in another semi-final today. Chasing 206 to win, Afghanitan overcame the total losing five wickets in 44 overs. The final will be played at the Hubara grounds on Friday.

NEPAL

Mahesh c Shafiq b Eszrafiq 43

Anil c Rakesh b Suresh 4

Shakti c Shafiq b Sharulnizam 52

Gyanendra b Suresh 49

Paras c Sharulnizam b Eszrafiq 2

Sharad not out 97

Dipendra st Shafiq b Sharulnizam 14

Mehboob not out 1

Extras: 9 (w3, lb6)

Total: 271/6 (50 Overs)

FoW: 1-11, 2-98, 3-116, 4-120, 5-235, 6-268

Malaysia bowling: Suresh 10-0-59-2,

Hassan 9-1-51-0, Damith 4-0-18-0,

Shahrulnizam 10-0-48-2, Nik 8-0-39-0,

Eszrafiq 9-0-50-2

MALAYSIA

Damith b Mehboob 0

Rakesh c Mahesh b Sanjam 7

Ahmad c Anil b Paras 0

Suhan lbw b Sanjam 70

Suresh c Sanjam b Paras 115

Anwar c Paras b Shakti 7

Eszrafiq b Rahul 1

Hassan c Dipendra b Basant 19

Shafiq run out 31

Sharulnizam b Basanta 2

Nik not out 3

Extras: 8 (w5, lb2, b1)

Total: 263 (49.4 Overs)

FoW: 1-0, 2-1, 3-45, 4-127, 5-142, 6-146,

7-173, 8-255, 9-257

Nepal bowling: Mehboob 5-3-16-1,

Paras 10-0-42-2, Sanjam 10-0-60-2,

Basant 8.4-0-58-2, Shakti 10-0-44-1,

Rahul 6-0-40-1

Man of the Match: Suresh (Malaysia)