By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – A stellar 301-run victory against Saudi Arabia has confirmed Nepal’s place in the semifinals of the ACC U-19 Premier Cup in Malaysia. Saudi Arabia were bundled over on 46 runs in 19.1 overs, chasing a massive target of 349 runs.
Mohammad Ahmed remained unbeaten for nine runs. Abdullah Shiraz scored nine off 26 deliveries. Varun Saravanan was the highest scorer with 11 runs in 25 deliveries. Ten Saudi batters couldn’t touch the double figures.
Dipesh Kandel took six wickets for Nepal for 18 runs in 9.1 overs. Akash Chand took two for 14 while Subash Bhandari took one wicket.
Earlier, Nepal, after losing the toss at the UKM Oval in Malaysia and being invited to bat first, made 347 runs at the loss of seven wickets. Arjun Kumal played a stellar innings of 142 runs in 111 deliveries with 17 fours and two sixes. He created history by becoming the batter with the highest individual score in an innings at any level for Nepal. Arjun also bagged the Player of the Match award.
Aakash Tripathi, batting at number three made 89 runs in 98 deliveries with six fours and two sixes. Opener Dipak Bohora made 29 off 37, while skipper Dev Khanal was dismissed for a duck. Deepak Dumre and Dipesh Kandel made 14 runs each while Milan Bohora made nine runs. Bishal Bikram KC remained unbeaten on 24 off 18 with three boundaries.
Mohammed Ahmed and Ahmed Raja of Saudi Arabia took two wickets each. Zuhair Mohammad Shazeeb Mujeebur Rahman took one wicket each.
Nepal had defeated Iran by 274 runs and Bahrain by seven wickets in their first two matches of the group. Nepal will now take on the winners of Group D for a place in the final. Japan are currently at the top of the group with four points from two games. Hong Kong and Malaysia remained second and third respectively with two points each. Indonesia have no points on board and remain at the bottom.
