Midfielder Faisal Mahmud, unmarked inside the box, mishit a kick after his Mohammedan teammate Zahid sent a cross from right in the 13th minute. However, there was enough power behind the shot as it got through the gloves of Nepalese goalkeeper Ritesh Thapa.

Earlier, Afghanistan put on a spirited show to hold three-time SAF Games champions India to a goalless draw in the opening match.

The Afghans, who were included in the biennial event of the Saarc nations two years ago in Islamabad, played impressive football against the rather dull Indians, who failed to stake their claim as a contender for the gold medal.

Hosts Sri Lanka, unnerved by the day's bomb-blast in the heart of the capital that killed seven people, edged Maldives 1-0 in the day's second match.

With cheers from a noisy crowd, Nimal Fernando separated the two sides after 75 minutes with a long-range drive.