Hosts Singapore beat Qatar by 33 runs on the opening day of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asian Regional Finals Qualifier ©ICC/Twitter

Hosts Singapore beat Qatar by 33 runs on the opening day of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup Asian Regional Finals Qualifier.

Surendran Chandramohan top scored with 47 runs off 39 balls as the home nation set the visitors a winning target of 187 at the Indian Association Ground.

Qatar could only manage 153 off their 20 overs, however, with Singapore's going Iqbal Hussain taking four wickets for 33.

Also picking up a victory today were Malaysia, who defeated Kuwait by 42 runs.

Kuwait were bowled all out for 120 after Malaysia had posted a total of 162 from their 20 overs.

Shafiq Sharif was Malaysia's best performer with the bat, racking up 38 runs from 27 balls. 

Action is due to continue tomorrow with Qatar facing favourites Nepal and Singapore going up against Kuwait.

The side which tops the round-robin table will book their spot at the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates in October and November.

That event will in turn offer six places at the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

United Arab Emirates, Scotland, Zimbabwe, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Oman, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Namibia and Jersey have already qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier.