By a Staff Reporter
Nepal trashed Kuwait by 243 runs to record a second consecutive win in an ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Asia Qualifier at Malek Cricket Ground in Ajman.
Nepal began their innings with a commanding display of batting, amassing 343 runs while losing 7 wickets in the allocated 50 overs. Opener Arjun Kumal and fourth batsman Dev Khanal both achieved centuries, contributing significantly to Nepal’s formidable total.
Although Deepak Bohara (13) and Aakash Tripathi (2) departed early, Arjun and Dev paired to form a 170-run partnership. Arjun scored 108 runs off 112 deliveries, including 12 fours, while Dev contributed 125 runs off 117 deliveries, hitting 9 fours and 3 sixes. This was the first time that two Nepalese batsmen scored centuries in any international match.
Moreover, Bishal Bikram KC 26, Dipak Bohara 19, Dipak Dumre 20, and Subash Bhandari added 2 runs to the tally. Dipak Dumre and Dipesh Kandel remained unbeaten for 2 runs each.
With Kuwait’s Arsh Sahil Kazmi, and Henry Thomas claiming 2 wickets, Haiber Ali, and Jay Maheshkumar Mehta picked 1 each.
In response, Kuwait struggled to contend with Nepal’s bowlers, with pacer Akash Chand taking 6 wickets to restrict Kuwait to just 100 runs. Hemant Dhami and Dipesh Kandel also contributed with 2 wickets each, bowling out Kuwait in 30.5 overs. Akash Chand was included in the team only a day before traveling as a replacement for Gulsan Jha, who had his duty in the senior team.
Opener Jude Christopher Saldhana top-scored 26 runs for Kuwait. Yusuf Sadiq Basha Mohamed Rasiq Mohamed contributed the second-highest of 19 runs for the losing side whereas Het Kishorebhai Hinsu was the other batsman to contribute in double figure.
Saud Mohamed Sadath 8, Jay Maheshkumar Mehta 3, Gautham Mohandas Poolakkal 1, Henry Thomas 3, Ethan Sanjay Cherian 7, Arsh Sahil Kazmi 5, and Talha Hassan returned to the dugout for 6 runs. Haiber Ali remained not out for 0.
Nepal’s next opponent will be Malaysia on February 28, followed by their final match against the United Arab Emirates on March 2. The qualifier is being hosted by the UAE, with Nepal, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Singapore competing.
Nepal began their campaign by defeating Singapore by 96 runs in their first match of the qualifiers.
