Sports
ACC Premier Cup 2026: Table-Topping Nepal Face Saudi Arabia, UAE Aim to Continue Winning Run Against Struggling Singapore
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
Two Group stage fixtures of the ACC Mens Premier Cup 2026 are scheduled for September 6, with Nepal taking on Saudi Arabia in Match 15 at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore facing UAE in Match 16 at YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi.
In Group A, Nepal currently sit atop the standings with two wins from as many matches, while Saudi Arabia occupy fourth place with one win and two losses. Nepal's leading run-scorer in the tournament is Arjun Kumal with 81 runs, while leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane leads the wicket-taking charts with six scalps. In their previous outing, Nepal chased down Malaysia's total of 103 with six wickets in hand, reaching the target in the 22nd over. Karan KC was the standout bowler in that match, claiming 4 wickets for 23 runs, while Arjun Kumal remained unbeaten on 45 runs during the chase.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, are led in the runs column by Usman Najeeb with 102 runs, while Muhammad Saqib has taken 8 wickets, the most for the side. Saudi Arabia defeated Bahrain by 17 runs in their last match, posting 221 runs after being put in to bat, with Abdul Waheed top-scoring with 70 runs. Bahrain were restricted to 204 for 8 in their chase, with Zain Ul Abidin bowling economically, conceding just 17 runs in 10 overs.
The average first innings total at Bayuemas Oval in Men's ODIs stands at 216, with the average second innings total at 218.
Ahead of the match, Nepal have been tipped to win the toss and the game. Predictions suggest Dev Khanal and Zahid Iqbal could be top scorers for their respective sides, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Muhammad Saqib are expected to lead the wicket-taking charts. Lamichhane has also been tipped for Player of the Match honors, with Nepal predicted to post a total in excess of 240 runs if batting first, compared to a projected 180-plus for Saudi Arabia.
In Group B, Singapore find themselves at the bottom of the table with three consecutive losses, while UAE sit second with two wins. Singapore's top performer with the bat has been skipper Manpreet Singh, who has accumulated 161 runs, while Suryansh Gulecha leads the bowling with 3 wickets. In their last match, Singapore were bowled out for 150 despite a valiant 96 off 113 balls from Singh, who struck 9 fours and 5 sixes. Qatar completed the chase comfortably, winning by 8 wickets inside 29 overs, with contributions from Zubair Ali (55), Shahzeb Afridi (36) and Zeeshan Haider (42).
UAE, in contrast, arrive on the back of a commanding 66-run win over Kuwait via the DLS method. Batting first, UAE posted 286 for 8 in their 50 overs, powered by a 94-run knock from Muhammad Shahdad and 59 from Harpreet Singh Bhatia. Adeeb Usmani, UAE's leading run-scorer in the competition with 119 runs, also contributed to an opening stand of 53 with Tanish Suri. In the run chase, Kuwait were restricted to 110 for 9 in 25 overs, with Akshdeep Nath - UAE's top wicket-taker in the tournament with 7 scalps - claiming 6 wickets for just 21 runs.
At YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, the average first innings total in Men's ODIs is 211, while the average second innings total is considerably lower at 139.
Predictions for this fixture favor Singapore to win the toss, but UAE are expected to secure victory. Riaan Naik and Muhammad Shahdad have been tipped as the top run-scorers for their respective teams, while Suryansh Gulecha and Ibrar Ahmed are the picks for top wicket-takers. Muhammad Shahdad has also been nominated for Player of the Match. Should UAE bat first, they are projected to post a total in excess of 270 runs.
Both matches form part of the ongoing ACC Mens Premier Cup 2026, with live streaming available subject to geo-restrictions.