KATHMANDU: In a remarkable display of skill, Nepal’s U-19 cricket team opened the ACC U-19 Premier Cup in Malaysia with an outstanding victory, led by Captain Dev Khanal’s record-breaking century.
The team clinched a resounding win over Iran, defeating them by a substantial margin of 274 runs.
Nepal’s pursuit began by setting a challenging target of 354 runs for Iran.
However, the Iranian team was bowled out for a mere 79 runs in 30.5 overs, as Nepal’s Dipesh Kandel and Subhas Bhandari claimed 3 wickets each, restricting Iran to a low score.
Bhandari’s bowling performance saw him taking 3 wickets in 8.5 overs, conceding only 6 runs, while Dipesh Kandel secured 3 wickets in 7 overs, giving away just 4 runs.
Akash Chand and Hemant Dhami also contributed to the team’s victory, taking 2 wickets each.
Iran’s highest scorer, wicketkeeper Amer Khorsand, managed to accumulate just 37 runs, while Saver Ebrahimipour remained not out with 11 runs. No other Iranian batsman could achieve a double-digit score.
In the lead-up to the match, Nepal, after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, put up a total of 353 runs before getting bowled out in 40.1 overs.
Captain Khanal delivered a spectacular performance, achieving a record century against Iran.
He scored an impressive 100 off just 60 balls, comprising 12 fours and 4 sixes.
Khanal’s century made history, marking him as the first U-19 player to score two centuries.
His previous century, a phenomenal 125 runs, was recorded against Kuwait in the ICC U19 World Cup Asia Zone Qualifier last February.
Nepal’s incredible total was largely built on a strong partnership between Captain Khanal and Deepak Bohora for the third wicket.
Together, they added an impressive 166 runs off 98 balls.
Bohora contributed 65 runs from 59 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes, while wicketkeeper Deepak Prasad Dumre scored 69 runs.
Dipesh Kandel, Akash Chand, Hemant Dhami, and Subhas Bhandari collectively added 18 runs to the scoreboard.
Openers Arjun Kumal and Milan Bohora faced early dismissals with golden ducks, while Akash Tripathi was dismissed for 3 runs.
Dadrahman Raisi and Laman Nizman took 3 wickets for Iran, and Saman Shekhi and Ziad Raisi secured two wickets each.
Nepal’s next challenge in the group stage will be against Bahrain on Sunday, where they aim to continue their winning streak in the ACC U-19 Premier Cup.
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