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Kathmandu, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) defeated Hong Kong by 22 runs in the final match of the group stage of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. The match was held at the Mulpani Cricket Stadium today.

With this win, the UAE has become the champion of Group 'B'. The UAE is taking on Nepal, the first runner-up of Group 'A', in the semifinals tomorrow. Chasing the target of 177 runs posted by the UAE, Hong Kong was restricted to 154 runs in the allotted 20 overs, losing eight wickets.

For Hong Kong, Anshy Rath hit the highest 59 runs off 47 balls with eight boundaries. Similarly, Aizaz Khan made 26; Nizakat Khan made 25; and Nasrulla Rana made 13. However, other players could score double digits. On the bowling side, Ali Nasir and Zahoor Khan took two wickets each.

Batting first after losing the toss, the UAE made 176 runs in the allotted 20 overs at the loss of six wickets. For the winning team, Basil Hameed hit the most runs from 29 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. Similarly, Captain Mohammad Waseem made 46 off 24 with five fours and three sixes.

Alishan Sharafu contributed 34 off 24 with two boundaries and two sixes. Vriitya Aravind made 19, Khalid Shah six, and Asif Khan four. For Hong Kong, Yasim Murtaza bagged three wickets singlehandedly, while Rana took two. Similarly, Ehsan Khan took one wicket.