Nepal crash out of U-19 Asia Cup

Kathmandu, September 8

Nepal crashed out of the U-19 Asia Cup following their six-wicket defeat at the hands of Bangladesh at the P Sara Oval in Colombo today.

Put into bat first, Nepal posted 261-8 in their allotted 50 overs riding on half centuries from Pawan Sarraf and Sandeep Jhora before Bangladesh reached 262-4 with four balls to spare. Nepal, who had faced a five-wicket loss against Sri Lanka in rain-hit match on Friday, crashed out of the league round.

With two wins in as many matches, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals from Group B. They will face the United Arab Emirates — who are also out with two defeats — in the meaningless match on Tuesday. India and Afghanistan have made it to the last four from Group A at the expense of Pakistan and Kuwait.

Chasing a modest target, Bangladesh skipper Akbar Ali led his team from the front with brilliant knock of unbeaten 98, while Towhid Hridoy scored a half century for the home side. Nepal reduced Bangladesh to 19-2 inside five overs after Rashid Khan trapped Tanzid Hasan leg before the wicket and Kamal Singh Airee had Anik Sarker Shatu caught by Asif Sheikh.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy (40) and Towhid Hridoy revived the innings with 79-run partnership for the third wicket before skipper Ali and Shamim Hossain added 130 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket to complete the victory. Ali struck 14 boundaries in his 82-ball 98 not out, while Hossain remained unbeaten on 42 off 45 balls that included four fours. Airee was the pick of the Nepali bowlers taking two wickets but he went on to conceded 59 runs in his eight-over spell, while Rashid Khan and Hari Chauhan claimed one wicket each.

Earlier, Nepal made a modest start with the bat with openers Rit Gautam and Pawan Sarraf adding 45 runs inside 14 overs.

Gautam, who scored half century against Sri Lanka in previous match, was the first to depart after scoring 32 off 53 balls that included three fours and a six.

Asif Sheikh followed soon making it 54-2 before Sarraf and Kushal Malla added 39 runs for third wicket. Malla struck a four and three sixes in his 33-ball 28 before being caught by Shahin Alam off Towhid Hridoy in the 27th over. Sarraf was then involved in another crucial partnership of 66 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Rohit Paudel, who scored 14. Sarraf was finally out in the 41st over ending his patient knock of 109-ball 81 that included eight boundaries and a six.

Sandeep Jhora then took charge of the innings and he combined with Bhim Sharki to add 71 runs for the sixth wicket before both the batsmen were dismissed in the penultimate over. Jhora scored a quick fire 56 off 37 balls hitting three each fours and sixes, while Sharki struck two boundaries in his 19- ball 21. Kamal Singh Airee (nine) and Hari Chauhan (one) remained unbeaten.

Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2-51) and Shahin Alam (2-58) shared four wickets between them, while Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rakibul Hasan, Minhazur Rahman and Towhid Hridoy claimed one wicket each for the home side.

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