Nepal U19 loses to B'desh by five wickets in Super Six

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu,Feb.1: Nepal entered the super six stage in the ICC U19 World Cup against great difficulties. However, any chances to advance forward in the semi-finals ended after India and Pakistan went enough point forward after winning their first matches of the stage.

Playing at the Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, South Africa, against Bangladesh on Wednesday, Nepal’s youngsters lost by five wickets while defending a low target.  Winning the toss, Nepal elected to bat first as five of the seven teams who chose so lately had won in Bloemfontein. 

Nepal’s openers did not feel welcomed as the bowlers and fielders of Bangladesh started intimidating them from the beginning. It is uncertain if the behaviour helped Bangladesh achieve what they planned or not, but the top three batsmen of Nepal departed, all caught, within the first powerplay. Bipin Rawal, Aakash Tripathi and Arjun Kumal returned to the pavilion after adding only 2, 3 and 14 runs respectively.

Captain Dev Khanal and Bishal Bikram KC, who did not feature in any of the group matches, raised the hopes for Nepal, but it shattered after Khanal departed in the 28th over. Going well, Khanal played a poor shot directly to the hands of Mahfuzur Rahman and departed at 35 off 60.

KC, who stayed until three other wickets fell, faced 100 deliveries but felt short of two runs for his half-century while playing in the World Cup for the first time.

Experienced Gulshan Jha failed once again in the tournament as he got bowled in the 35th over as the fifth wicket contributing only three runs in 16 balls. Extras given by Bangladeshi bowlers (31 runs) was the third highest score for Nepal.

While Dipak Bohora and Dipesh Kandel also added only three runs before getting out, Subash Bhandari stayed not out at 18 off 34. With one ball remaining for the 50 overs to end, Nepal lost its final wicket and got bundled out at 169.

Rohanat Doullah Borson bagged four wickets and Sheikh Paevez Jibon claimed two for Bangladesh. Iqbal Hossain Emon, Maruf Mridha and Jishan Alam also took a wicket each.

Bangladesh was more than confident to chase the target successfully. Two batsmen registered half-centuries as Bangladesh reached 170 in the 26th over losing five wickets. 

Ariful Islam stayed not out at 59 off 38 with Jibon (5 off 6) to win the match for the team. Opener Jishan Alam also added 55 off 43 in the chase.

Subash Bhandari was the only wicket taker for Nepal. He bagged all five wickets in a spell of eight overs giving 44 runs.

Gulshan Jha, Aakash Chand, Dipesh Kandel and Durgesh Gupta, who replaced Tilak Bhandari, could not open their accounts for wickets.

As Nepal’s youngsters continue to gain more experience in the tournament with no chance for progressing, Nepal will be facing title-defender India on February 2.