Nepal and Malaysia have already qualified for the semifinals and the Wednesday´s match will decide the group winner and runner-up.[break]
Nepal, which defeated Kuwait by 84 runs, Qatar by nine wickets and Bahrain by 196 runs, has six points from three matches. Malaysia, which beat Kuwait by eight wickets, Bahrain by seven wickets and Qatar by 127 runs, is also on six points. However, Nepal currently leads Group B with a better net run rate.
The losing team of Wednesday´s match will have to face Afghanistan in the semifinal. Afghanistan has been creating buzz in Malaysia with lopsided victories over all its opponents in Group A. The runner-up of Group A is yet to be decided.
"We don´t count any opponent as easy or tough. We are here to win the trophy and we have to win every match," said Nepali captain Bhuwan Karki.
Karki praised the performance of his boys. "We have experienced players as well as debutants in our team. The new boys are performing well. We are better than other teams in every department. We have to keep the momentum going," he added.
Karki said that if Nepal has to bat first against Malaysia, his team needs around 200 runs on the board. "If we bat first we need at least 200 runs on the board. I hope the openers will give us a good start," said Karki. Nepali opener Amit Shrestha has been doing well in the tournament. Shrestha had scored 46 runs against Kuwait, unbeaten 70 against Qatar and 22 against Bahrain.
Karki has faith in his middle order too. "We have players like Bibhatsu Thapa who can play strokes keeping his wicket intact," said Karki. Thapa had scored 44 runs against Bahrain in his debut.
Nepali pacer Avinash Karn is also in sensational form. He claimed eight wickets against Bahrain including a hat-trick on Monday. He had also claimed four wickets against Qatar and one against Kuwait.
Likewise, another pacer Yagyaman Kumal has also shown his potential by picking up three wickets in his debut against Kuwait.
"We have to repeat the previous performances. We have to keep the momentum going," said Nepali team coach Jagat Tamata. "Our ultimate aim is to win the trophy," he added.
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