KATHMANDU: In a gripping must-win encounter, Nepal’s U19 cricket team etched their names into the annals of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history by securing a spot in the Super Six stage.
Captain Dev Khanal, a central figure in this historic feat, reflected on the team’s journey after Aakash Chand’s stellar five-wicket performance set the stage for one of the tournament’s defining moments.
As the team needed six runs to win with two wickets in hand, Khanal found himself on his knees, hands on his head, praying for a miracle and lamenting the possibility of not seeing his team cross the finish line.
“I was just praying to God that we have done so much hard work over the last couple of months back home. We have not seen our families in the last two months, and everybody is here, doing the hard work,” Khanal expressed in an exclusive conversation with ICC Digital.
Khanal’s leadership shone through with a well-crafted 58 off 89 balls in the chase of 146 against Afghanistan.
Although dismissed when Nepal still needed 18 runs, his contribution was vital.
The game hung in the balance with only three wickets in hand when Faridoon Dawoodzai took the crucial wickets of Dipak Bohara (27) and Chand (1).
The script resembled their previous clash against New Zealand – one wicket to win and one run to defend.
Subash Bhandari, displaying composure, delivered the finishing blow with a four down the off-side fence, propelling Nepal into the Super Six phase and triggering jubilation among the team.
Khanal expressed the enormity of the achievement, stating, “It’s huge. It’s a dream come true for us. We have been preparing for this over the last couple of months. We know we can do it, and we believe that. We can play good cricket at this level as well.”
A special mention went to Aakash Chand, the first Nepal fast bowler to secure a five-wicket haul in ICC Men’s U19 World Cup history (5/34).
Khanal acknowledged Chand’s dedication, describing him as “the most hard-working guy” and expressing pride in his achievement.
Chand, in turn, thanked the fans and spoke about the immense support from Nepal, dedicating his Player of the Match award to the love he felt from his family.
As Nepal gears up for their Super Six stage clashes against Bangladesh on January 31 and India on February 2 at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, the team basks in the glory of a historic moment and prepares for the challenges ahead.
With inputs from ICC
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