Nepal sealed top spot in Group D of the ACC Women’s U19 Premier Cup 2026 with a commanding 181-run victory over Hong Kong, China at the Bayuemas Cricket Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. The comprehensive result ensured Nepal progressed to the next stage alongside Qatar, while Hong Kong, China and Singapore were eliminated from the tournament.
After Hong Kong won the toss and opted to field, Nepal piled up an imposing 211/6 in their 20 overs before producing a clinical display with the ball to restrict their opponents to just 30/9. The 181-run victory was one of the most dominant wins of the tournament, while Hong Kong’s total of 30/9 was one of the lowest recorded in this edition.
Nepal recovered quickly after losing opener Sana Praveen for 4(3) in the second over. From there, Sabitri Dhami and captain Sony Pakhrin completely took control of the innings, putting together a match-defining 136-run partnership for the second wicket. Dhami was the aggressor early on, bringing up a fluent 52 off 36 deliveries that included six boundaries. She was eventually run out in the 13th over with Nepal firmly in command at 142/2, but not before laying the perfect platform for a massive total.
Pakhrin then carried the innings through the middle and death overs with a captain’s knock. She struck 90 off 60 balls, peppering the boundary with 13 fours and a six while anchoring the innings until the 17th over. Although she narrowly missed out on a century, her innings ensured Nepal never lost momentum despite wickets falling around her.
Alisha Kumari Yadav then added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 23(12), while Riya Sharma remained unbeaten on 8(7) as Nepal added 41 runs in the final four overs to post 211/6. Hong Kong’s bowlers struggled to contain Nepal’s batters throughout the innings, conceding 27 extras, including 20 wides and seven no-balls. Nimbra Arab was the most successful bowler with figures of 2/44, while Wong Wing Kiu Hailey and Arooj Fatima picked up one wicket each.
Chasing an imposing target of 212, Hong Kong never found any rhythm against Nepal’s disciplined attack. Manisha Upadhayay struck with the very first ball of the innings, removing Poon Hoi Lam for a duck, setting the tone for what followed. Captain Storm Emise Parker attempted to steady the innings but managed only 5(16) before Krishma Gurung dismissed her, leaving Hong Kong at 14/2 after seven overs. Wong Wing Kiu Hailey battled the longest, top-scoring with 13(45), while So Wan Tung contributed 4(8). No other batter managed more than two runs as the chase unravelled.
Pakhrin capped a memorable all-round performance with an outstanding spell of 4/4 from her four overs. The captain ripped through the middle order by dismissing Wong Wing Kiu Hailey (13), Nimbra Arab (0), Mahnoor Tauqeer (0) and Arooj Fatima (2), reducing Hong Kong from 25/4 to 27/8 and ending any hopes of avoiding a heavy defeat. Upadhayay complemented her brilliantly with figures of 2/1, while Krishma Gurung claimed 1/7 and Sneha Mahara finished with 1/1. Manisha Chaudhary also played her part, bowling three economical overs for just seven runs as Nepal’s bowlers collectively strangled Hong Kong’s scoring.
Hong Kong eventually closed on 30/9, with Tong Sui Ting and Lo Oi Sze unbeaten at the crease after Nepal finished one wicket short of bowling them out. The emphatic victory confirmed Nepal’s unbeaten run through Group D and secured their place in the next phase of the ACC Women’s U19 Premier Cup alongside Qatar. For Hong Kong, China and Singapore, the defeat brought their campaigns to an end as both sides missed out on qualification.
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