Pakistan Shaheens secured a place in the semifinals of the Top End T20 Series after edging Nepal by just one run in a nail-biting encounter on Friday.
The victory marked their fourth win in six matches, cementing their place among the top teams of the competition.
Winning the toss, Pakistan Shaheens opted to bat first and posted a fighting total of 144 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Captain Mohammad Irfan Khan anchored the innings with a resilient knock of 42 not out, with three boundaries and a six.
Abdul Samad contributed 26 runs with one four and one six, while Mohammad Wasim Jr. added 23 runs laced with two boundaries and a six.
Nepal’s Sompal Kami bagged three wickets for 30 runs, while Nandan Yadav and Dipendra Singh claimed two wickets apiece.
Chasing a target of 145, Nepal fought hard but fell agonizingly short, finishing on 143 for seven in their 20 overs.
Skipper Rohit Kumar played a brilliant knock of 52 runs with six fours and a six, while Asif Sheikh chipped in with 27 runs.
Together, they built a solid 55-run partnership for the second wicket, keeping Nepal in contention.
Dipendra Singh also impressed with a spirited 41-run innings.
The contest reached its climax in the final over when Nepal required eight runs for victory.
Left-arm spinner Faisal Akram, entrusted with the last over, held his nerve.
On the very first ball, he dismissed Kushal Malla for two runs with the help of a sharp stumping by wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori.
With three runs needed off the final delivery, Dipendra Singh was run out after a valiant effort, leaving Nepal stranded just one run short.
For Pakistan Shaheens, Wasim Jr. and Faisal Akram both picked up two wickets each. Behind the stumps, Ghazi Ghori had a stellar outing with two stumpings and involvement in two crucial run-outs that turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor.