By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – Nepal’s one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the final group match has propelled Nepal to the super six stage of the ICC U-19 World Cup. Nepal chased down the target of 146 runs in 44.4 overs with one wicket remaining.
Skipper Dev Khanal top-scored for Nepal with a well-made 58 off 89 deliveries with seven fours in his innings. Dipak Bohora made 27 off 42 for Nepal. Aakash Tripathi added 16 runs to the total off 39 deliveries.
Nepal, who were at 24-3 at one stage, were steadied by Dev and Aakash who put together a 49-run stand for the fourth wicket. Nepal, with nine wickets down, required six runs to win. Aakash Chand and Tilak Bhandari, the number 10 & 11 batters for Nepal got their side over the line.
Faridoon Dawoodzai took three wickets for Afghanistan with Khalil Ahmed and Naseer Khan picked up two wickets for Afghanistan.
Earlier, Aakash Chand’s five-wicket haul helped Nepal bundle Afghanistan over for 145 runs in 40.1 overs. Every single Nepali bowler chipped in with a wicket with Dipesh Kandel taking two while Gulsan Jha, Subash Bhandari and Tilak Bhandari took one wicket each.
Nepal will play the Group A winners and runners-up in the Super Six stage. Nepal’s points and net run rate from the matches against New Zealand and Pakistan will be taken forward to the Super Six stage.
