Nepal U19 has created history in the Youth Asia Cup by beating India U19 by 19 runs. This is the first time Nepal has ever beaten India in a competitive match at any level.
Playing the 2nd match of the U19 Asia Cup being held in Malaysia, Nepal were invited to bat first by the Indian skipper Himanshu Rana in the Bayeumas Oval. Nepal posted a total of 185 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 50 overs. In reply, India were bundled out for 166 runs in the 1st ball of the 49th over.
Chasing a total of 186 runs, India were off to a decent start. Opening stand of 65 runs between skipper Himanshu Rana & Manoj Kalra was broken by Kamal Singh Airee. Airee bowled Rana in the 13th over who had scored a quick-fire 46 runs off 38 balls with 7 fours and a six. India U19 were cruising towards victory as the scoreboard read 100/3 at the end of 25th over.
Skipper Dipendra Singh Airee and the spinners brought Nepal back into the game. In his allotted 10 overs that included 2 maides, Airee picked up 4 wickets at an expense of 39 runs. Similarly, Shahab Alam who picked up the last wicket of the match in the 49th over to mark the historical win picked 2 wickets giving away only 11 runs in his 4.1 overs. Pawan Sharraf also contained the Indian batsman as he picked 2/24 in his 10 overs. Sandeep Lamichhane also was able to snatch a wicket as he bowled 10 overs for 30 runs.
Skipper Dipendra Singh Airee was undoubtedly adjudged man of the match for his all-round performance of scoring 88 runs with the bat and picking up 4 wickets while defending the total.
Nepal had previously beaten test nations like Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan in the U19 level.
Nepal were beaten by Bangladesh in the 1st match of the tournament by 2 wickets.Nepal will play against Malaysia in the last match of the group stage on 14th of November in the Bayuemas Oval. A win over Malaysia will likely secure Nepal a semi final berth.