Nepal defeated Bahrain 88:87 in the opening match of the ACC Cup for men on 31 August 2026. Both teams began the tournament with zero games played, making this a fresh start for each side. The visitors saw it out in a closely contested affair that finished with a single-point margin.
Bahrain had shown some inconsistency in their recent run, with wins against Singapore and Uganda but losses to Tanzania, Hong Kong and Italy. Nepal came into this game after a mixed streak that included victories over the Australian Capital Territory and Hobart Hurricanes Academy, though they had also fallen to Victoria KK XI and Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy.
The final tally of 88:87 tells you everything about a game where both sides traded blows without either pulling clear. Bahrain's attack had been potent at times, notably in their 209:204 win over Uganda, but Nepal's own recent outings had seen scores in the 140s and 160s. This was a different kind of contest.
With both teams now having one game under their belts, the standings remain level at the top of the table. Nepal take the early advantage on points differential, though the gap between them and Bahrain is negligible at this stage of the competition.