Nepal and Malaysia make finals

Malaysia prevailed over Hong Kong by two runs in a tense match in Chiang Mai to progress to the final of the Asian women's Under-19 tournament. After opting to bat, Malaysia were kept down to 82 in their allotted 25 overs by some disciplined Hong Kong bowling, particularly from left-arm spinner Chan Sau Har (5-4-1-2). Hong Kong were on course for a place in the final after captain Keenu Gill made 27, the highest score in the game, to take them to 49 for 3 in the 12th over. However, none of her team-mates made it to double digits and Hong Kong were dismissed for 80. Left-arm spinner Alessandra Shunmugam was the most effective Malaysian bowler, taking 4 for 18.

Malaysian captain Nur Aishah was delighted with the victory. "Hong Kong is a strong side and our total of 82 was well below our targeted 120 runs," she told the ACC website. "Credit goes to our bowlers and Alessandra really bowled well. Getting Keenu out was the moment we felt we could go on and win it and we did."

Their opponents in Tuesday's final will be Nepal, who thrashed hosts Thailand by 83 runs in the other semi-final. Trishna Singh (33) and Binu Magar (23) were the top scorers in Nepal's 132, but the biggest contribution came from the extras, 48 of them, including 40 wides. Piraorn Kamla sent down 13 wides but was the most successful Thailand bowler, picking up four wickets. Thailand's reply was never convincing; their lost two wickets in the first over, and none of their batsmen got into double-figures as the team folded for 49. "We expected a closer match," Nepal's captain Nary Thapa said. "Thailand made it easy for us, though it is not easy batting when there are so many wides. But we bowled very well."