ICC Asia U-19 WC: Nepal defeats Oman by 150 runs

KATHMANDU: Nepal has defeated Oman by 150 runs at its fourth match under the ICC Asia U-19 World Cup Qualifier held at Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Nepal restricted Oman to paltry to 79 runs while the latter was chasing the 230-run target. Oman was all out in 44.1 overs. Except two players of Oman JY Tanna and AS Sirah, other batsmen could not reach double-digit runs. JY Tanna and AS Sirah made 13 runs each off 53 and 45 balls, respectively.

Pawan Sarraf took highest three wickets of Oman including two maiden overs conceding 24 runs. Similarly, Surya Tamang and Pratis GC grabbed two wickets each including four and one maiden overs respectively while KS Airee, B Sharki, Kushal Malla claimed one wicket each, building pressure on the opponent team.

Earlier, invited to bast first after losing the toss, Nepal had scored 229 runs losing all wickets in 43.2 overs.

Skipper Rohit Kumar Paudel top-scored with 75 runs studded with five fours and two sixes off 81 balls, Pratis GC  made 41 runs including two fours and four sixes off 23 balls while Bhim Sarki contributed 39 runs including two fours and one six off 43 deliveries.

In reply, JY Tanna, Azam Ali, SR Ravindra, Muzahir Raza, took two wickets each of Nepal while P Kumble, Mehta grabbed one wicket each, piling pressure on Nepal.

With four wins, Nepal is atop the points table with eight points.

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 Kuwait on Thursday.