Nepal U-19 has registered their 4th victory in the ongoing ICC Asia under-19’s World Cup Qualifier beating Malaysia by 5 wickets. || Scorecard || Points Table ||
After being put into bat first, Malaysia were wrapped up for 89 runs in 35.1 overs. In reply, Nepal chased the target in 22.2 overs with 5 wickets remaining.
Nepal batting woes continued as none of the top order batsmen made any recognizable contribution. Openers failed once again as Sandeep Sunar scored 15 runs and Anil Shah scored 12 runs. Pranit Thapa Magar batting at no.3 got out cheaply for 8 runs while Aadil Khan and Wicket-keeper batsman Prakash KC got out for ducks. Nepal were in trouble at one stage as they were reduced to 40/5 in 11.3 overs. However, Dipendra Singh Airee and Rohit Kumar Poudel stirred Nepal to victory with an unbeaten 6th wicket partnership of 52 runs. Dipendra scored 19 runs off 29 balls while Poudel scored 34 runs off 37 balls smashing 6 fours.
Virandeep Singh picked up 3 wickets conceding just 31 runs in his 10 overs for Malaysia while Hafizuddin bagged 2 wickets in his 9 overs including a maiden conceding 37 runs.
Earlier, Malaysian opening batsman Saifullah Malik got out to Rijan Dhakal for a duck in the 2nd over. But the other opener Syed Aziz ensured a good start for Malaysia as he carried Malaysian innings with a score of 46 runs off 66 balls smashing 7 fours and a six. The 2nd wicket partnership of 58 runs lasted upto 17.3 overs as Aziz was caught behind off Sandeep Lamichhane. No other batsmen were able to make significant contribution for the side as 4 batsmen got out for a duck. The batting collapsed miserably as they lost last 9 wickets for 30 runs. Man of the match Sandeep Lamichhane rattled the opposition with a 7 wicket haul.
Left arm spinner Shahab Alam picked up 2 wickets while Right arm pacer Rijan Dhakal had a scalp to his name. Sandeep Lamichhane figures were extra-ordinary as he picked up 7 wickets conceding only 13 runs off his 9.1 overs including a maiden. Alam also bowled tightly conceding 23 runs off 9 overs while Rijan Dhakal conceded 15 runs off 5 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee contained the batsmen in the middle overs bowling 3 maidens and conceding only 19 runs off 8 overs.
In the other match held today, Afghanistan registered a mammoth victory beating Singapore by 224 runs.
Afghanistan lead the points table with 10 points and a healthy Net Run Rate, while Nepal remain at 2nd position with 8 points.
With a minor hope still alive, Nepal will play their final match of the tournament against Afghanistan. It’s almost an impossible task for Nepal but a win with an extraordinarily huge margin can see Nepal win the tournament.
The winner of the tournament will qualify through to the ICC under-19’s World Cup 2018 to be held in January, in New Zealand.
