Nepal has failed to qualify for ICC Under-19’s World Cup 2018 after facing a humiliating defeat in their last match of the ICC Asia Under-19’s World Cup Qualifier against the strong Afghanistan side. Afghanistan were all over Nepal as they crunched Nepal by 96 runs. || Scorecard || Points Table ||
Afghanistan won all of their 6 matches, gaining 12 points to ensure their place in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2018 to be held at New Zealand in January. Nepal registered 4 wins and 2 losses, gaining 8 points to finish 2nd in the tournament. Nepal lost both of their matches against Afghanistan whereas won two matches each against Malaysia and the hosts Singapore.
Nepal went out to the field on the last day of the tournament with an almost impossible task to outplay Afghanistan on Net Run Rate but were rattled by the Afghans as Nepal chasing a target of 196 runs were bowled out for 99 runs in 40.3 overs.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan couldn’t get going with the bat initially as they lost wickets in regular interval. Opener Naveed Obaid scored 22 runs hitting 2 fours and a six before he was trapped LBW by Dipendra Singh Airee in the 9th over.
The other opener Ibrahim Zadran carried the Afghanistan innings as the wickets fell on the other end. Zadran went on to score the only 2nd century of the tournament scoring 101 runs off 114 balls smashing 7 fours and 5 sixes. Eventually, he was also the victim of Dipendra Singh Airee as he was caught in the 41st over. Afghanistan were bowled out for 195 runs in 46.5 overs.
The left arm spinner Shahab Alam picked up 4 wickets which restricted opposition from posting a big total. Dipendra Singh Airee picked up 3 wickets while Sandeep Lamichhane and Pawan Sarraf had a wicket each in their bag.
Nepal’s batting struggle continued as the openers failed once again as Sandeep Sunar was bowled out for only 6 runs. Nepal were reduced to 34/5 in 16.2 overs. Howeverm Dipendra Singh Airee rescued Nepal’s batting to some extent scoring 48 runs off 81 balls but it wasn’t enough as no other batsmen registered any significant score. Ultimately, Nepal’s batting bundled out for only 99 runs in 40.3 overs .
Sandeep Lamichhane who finished the tournament as the highest wicket taker with 24 scalps as he registered a 7-wicket haul against Malaysia following his two 5-wicket hauls was adjudged Player of the Tournament.
