ICC Asia U-19 WC: Nepal clinches 8-wicket win against Malaysia

KATHMANDU: Nepal has defeated host Malaysia by eight wickets at its third match under the ICC Asia U-19 World Cup Qualifier held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday.

Chasing the 93-run target posted by Malaysia, Nepal achieved it in 13 overs losing only two wickets. Rit Gautam top-scored with 45 runs including five fours off 45 balls, Aasif Sheikh contributed 26 runs including three fours and one six off 18 balls while Pawan Sarraf made 19 runs including two fours and one six off 14 balls.

In reply, Syukri Madeli and Afiq Syakir took one wicket each of Nepal.

Earlier, sent in to field first after losing the toss, Nepal had restricted its opponent to paltry 92 runs. Malaysia was all out in 33.5 overs.

Malaysia’s Iezzat Daniel Fiqry scored highest 37 runs  including three fours and one six off 55 balls, Muhammad Amir made 13 off 26 balls while wicketkeeper Hakim Harisan contributed 10 runs while the other batsmen could not reach double-digit runs.

Nepal’s Kushal Malla and Pawan Sarraf grabbed three wickets each of Malaysia including two and one maidens in 8 and 8.5 overs respectively.

Similarly, Kamal Singh took two wickets giving away 22 runs while Sagar Dhakal claimed one wicket, building pressure on the opponent.

Nepal had played friendly matches with U-19 cricket teams in Andhra Pradesh of India prior to this Qualifier. Of the total six friendly matches, Nepal won four matches and lost two matches.

Rohit Kumar Paudel (captain), Pawan Sarraf, Sandeep Jora, Bhim Sarki, Kushal Malla, Hari Bahadur Chauhan, Pratish GC and Abhishek Basnet are in the team. Similarly, Rit Gautam, Kamal Singh Airee, Rashid Khan, Sagar Dhakal and Surya Tamang.

Former captain of National Cricket Team Binod Das is the coach. Nepal had participated in the ICC Asia U-19 World Cup Qualifier for seven times that had started since 1998.

Nepal, which had first participated in U-19 held in Sri Lanka in 2000, has played seven times so far (five times (2000-2008) and two times (2012 and 2016). Nepal will face Oman on Tuesday and Kuwait on Thursday.