Pakistan Shaheens got off to a winning start in the 2023 ACC Men's Emerging Asia Cup campaign with a stunning four-wicket win over Nepal on Friday.

Shahnawaz Dahani's five-wicket success led defending champions Pakistan Shaheens to a four-wicket win over Nepal in Friday's first match of the 2023 ACC Men's Emerging Teams Asia Cup at Sri Lanka's Colombo Cricket Ground.

In their first game of the Emerging Asia Cup, Pakistan Shaheens outclassed Nepal with four wickets and 103 balls remaining thanks to brilliant performances from Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir.

The Pakistan Shaheens were poised to reach a modest 180-run target after their pacemakers dissected Nepal's batting lineup in the first innings and sent off the associated country with 179.

Rising batsman Tayyab Tahir led Pakistan's pursuit against Nepal with a sensible batting effort, scoring Pakistan's best knock.

The right-handed hitter made a cautious 51 of 67 deliveries and hit six boundaries.

Tahir went out in the middle when Shaheens had 50/2 in the 10th and forged an important 64-run partnership with Omair Bin Yousuf, who made 36 of 40 deliveries.

He scored a crucial partnership with Kamran Ghulam in the fourth wicket, taking the run total to 34 before heading back to the pavilion and allowing his side to secure a comfortable win.

Kamran Ghulam, who played an anchor role in the run chase after Tahir's departure, failed to get his racquet all the way through and fell in the 33rd over with his side just three runs away.

Ghulam scored a snappy 31 from 26 with the help of a border line and two sixes.

Earlier, the losing team was 72 for eight in 15.4 overs before Sompal Kami and Pratis GC (26, 24b, 1x4s, 2x6s) combined to add 58 runs for the ninth wicket. After Pratis' departure, Kami tied a 49-run partnership for the 10th wicket. Kami was the last hitter to return to the cottage after scoring 75 from 101, including nine fours and two sixes.

Scores in brief

Pakistan Shaheens beat Nepal by four wickets

Nepal 179 all out, 37 overs (Sompal Kami 75, Pratish GC 26; Shahnawaz Dahani 5-38, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 4-51)

Pakistan Shaheens 181-6, 32.5 overs (Tayyab Tahir 51, Omair Bin Yousuf 36, Kamran Ghulam 31; Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi 3-50)

Player of the match – Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan Shaheens)