Despite losing the series 1-2, Nepal U-19 delivered a much-improved display as they concluded the 3-match Unofficial Youth One-Day series against Afghanistan on a high note.
Nepal suffered a heavy 130-run defeat in the first match while chasing 301. Afghanistan’s Khalid Ahmadzai (76) and Faisal Shinozada (97) shared a massive 154-run stand for the second wicket, putting Nepal on the back foot. It proved a bridge too far for the young guns. The only bright spot for Nepal was Niraj Kumar Yadav, who scored a brisk 53 off 58 balls, giving Nepal some hope. However, after his dismissal, Nepal collapsed from 82/2 to 94/6.
In the second match, Nepal bounced back strongly and bowled out Afghanistan for just 168. The pitch had changed—it was slower and offered turn. Afghanistan were reduced to 116/7 before their number 10, Wahidullah Zadran, chipped in with a valuable 27 off 34 balls. Afghan skipper Mahboob Alam top-scored with 58.
Nepal looked in control during the chase. Opener Sahil Patel struck a fine half-century, and at 126/4, Nepal were favourites to level the series. But then came a dramatic collapse—five wickets fell for just 26 runs. With 11 runs needed off the final six deliveries, Darsh Sonar hit two boundaries in the first three balls, bringing Nepal to the brink of victory. Then came the moment of drama: Sonar was bowled off a no-ball but began ambling out of his crease, likely thinking the match was over. Afghan wicketkeeper Khalid Ahmadzai capitalized and uprooted the stumps.
Afghanistan won by 1 run and sealed the series. There was definitely a case of Law 31.7 which states Neither umpire shall give a batter out, even though he/she may be out under the Laws, unless appealed to by a fielder. This shall not debar a batter who is out under any of the Laws from leaving the wicket without an appeal having been made. There was another case of Law 38.2.2.2. It says No ball has been called and he/she is out of his/her ground not attempting a run and the wicket is fairly broken by the wicket-keeper without the intervention of another fielder. While the umpire may have erred in judgment, the larger concern for Nepal was their batting collapse from a strong position.
The final game was played on the same surface as the second, and Nepal’s openers continued their good form with an 83-run stand. At 120/1 in 22 overs, Nepal looked set for a solid total. However, they suffered another collapse, going from 182/5 to 191 all out in 44.5 overs—the last five wickets contributing just nine runs.
Though they ended up 50–60 runs short of what seemed possible, Nepal had a strong bowling lineup—especially their army of left-arm spinners—to defend the total on a pitch offering turn. Left-arm seamer Dayanand Mandal set the tone with a wicket off the first ball, cleaning up Uzairullah Niazai with a sharp inswinger. Bipin Sharma then dismissed Khalid Ahmadzai in the very next over. All other bowlers chipped in as Afghanistan slumped to 45/6 in 20 overs—the minimum required to apply the DLS method.
Nepali bowlers hurried through their overs with drizzle beginning to fall. Ironically, just one ball into the 21st over, the rain intensified and play was halted. Nepal won the match by 85 runs via DLS, ending the series on a positive note. This is Nepal’s third win over Afghanistan in the last five matches in U-19 level.
The form of the two openers heading into the upcoming tournament is encouraging for Nepal. The bowling attack looks as potent as ever, but the middle order—particularly the form of skipper Naren Bhatta—is a concern. Bhatta had scored a half-century against Delhi U-19 ahead of this series but managed only 48 runs in three innings against Afghanistan.
Interestingly, Nepal used all squad members in the series except for Yuvraj Khatri. Head Coach Shakti Gauchan revealed that Khatri was deliberately rested to be used as a mystery spinner in the upcoming ICC Men’s U-19 Asia Qualifier, starting in four days. Khatri had impressed last year, taking six wickets in two matches, including a match-winning 4/23 against Bangladesh during the U-19 Asia Cup.
The qualifier will be held at the Upper and Lower Mulpani grounds in Kathmandu. Five teams—Nepal, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Oman, and the UAE—will vie for a single spot at next year’s U-19 World Cup, to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Photo: CAN
