In the ongoing Nepal U-19’s tour of India, the fourth practice match between Nepal U-19 and Noida XI was abandoned midway through the 2nd innings due to rain. Scorecard
Noida XI which boasted players with considerable experience in its line up posted a total of 278 runs in 49.2 overs losing all its wickets after winning the toss and electing to bat first. In reply, Nepal U-19 scored 117 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 25 overs before rain interrupted the play.
Anureet Singh, who has been part of Kings XI Punjab in the IPL batted at number 3 and scored a quick-fire century smashing 14 fours and 7 sixes. He scored 121 runs off just 86 balls which led Noida XI to a total of 278 runs.
Pacer Parwinder Awana, who has represented India in 2 T20Is and is also a part of Kings XI Punjab scored 43 runs off 35 balls smashing 5 sixes batting at no.7 . He was caught by Sandeep Sunar off Rashid Khan’s bowling in the final over of the innings. Similarly, Rahul Yadav who had previously played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL opened the batting scoring 37 runs .
Noida XI fielded a pretty strong side as compared to the other oppositions Nepal U-19 faced in previous practice matches. Nepali bowlers did a commendable job bowling out a strong Noida XI side restricting them to 278 runs. At one stage, Noida XI were 190/4 in 33 overs and a score of over 300 was a strong possibility.
Nepali pace bowlers were amid the wickets while restricting Noida XI to a total below 300 runs. Rohit Kumar Poudel picked up 4 wickets and Rashid Khan had 3 scalps in his name. Poudel conceded 59 runs in his 10 overs while Rashid conceded 33 runs in 6.2 overs including a maiden. Similarly, Rijan Dhakal conceded 43 runs in his 8 overs.
Spinners Lalit Rajbanshi and Shahab Alam took 1 wicket each while Pawan Sarraf, who picked up 3 wickets in the previous match went wicketless. Star leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was rested for the match.
In reply, opening batsman Sandeep Sunar scored 5 runs off 12 balls before he was retired hurt and was taken out of the ground after the ball struck his shoulder.
Opener Aasif Sheikh and Pranit Thapa guided Nepali innings to a total of 50 runs in 14 overs. However, Nepal lost 3 wickets in regular intervals and were 82 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 21 overs. Pranit Thapa scored 27 runs whereas Aasif Sheikh scored 28 runs while Dipendra Singh Airee got out cheaply scoring 9 runs.
Aadil Khan and Anil Kumar Shah shared an unbeaten partnership of 35 runs off 24 balls whick took Nepal to a total of 117/3 in 25 overs before rain interrupted the play. Aadil and Anil were unbeated at a score of 22 runs each.
The India National Cricket team bowler Parvinder Awana went wicketless in his 3 overs conceding 10 runs. Noida XI bowler Nimit Saini picked up 2 wickets whereas Depanshu Yadav picked up 1 wicket.
Nepal U-19 will now face the same Noida XI team in its 5th practice match on 13th of July.
Previously, Nepal U-19 were able to win 3 out of their 3 practice matches beating Friends Cricket Academy by 121 runs, Gurugram Sports Club by 249 runs and RP Singh Academy by 60 runs.
Nepal will travel to Singapore from India on 14th of July after the completion of all practice matches.
Nepal U-19 team are currently training in Noida, India preparing for ICC Under-19 World Cup Asia Qualifiers to be held in Singapore from 15th-25th of July. Nepal are grouped up with Afghanistan, Malaysia and the hosts Singapore in the qualifiers. The tourney winner will qualify to the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2018 to be held in New Zealand, in January.
In the double round-robin format of the tournament, Nepal will play 6 matches in the qualifiers playing each team twice. They will face the host Singapore in their first match on 17th of July. Similarly, Malaysia on 18th of July, Afghanistan on 20th of July, Singapore on 21st of July, Malaysia on 24th of July and the final league match against Afghanistan on 25th of July.
