Nepali boys bag consolation win over Afghanistan U19

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 10: Nepal's Under-19 cricket team defeated Afghanistan by 85 runs via the DLS method, securing a consolation win in the three-match unofficial One-Day series on Wednesday. Visitors Afghanistan clinched the series 2-1.

The match was decided using the DLS method after rain interrupted play at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, with Afghanistan chasing a target of 192 runs. Afghanistan were struggling at 46/6 in 20.1 overs when rain and hail stopped the game.

Nepal's bowlers delivered tight spells in the final match to restrict Afghanistan's batting line-up. For Nepal, Aprajit Paudel bagged two wickets, while Dayanand Mandal, Bipin Sharma, Santosh Yadav, and Ashok Dhami picked up one wicket each.

Afghanistan's Faisal Shinozada and Azizullah Mia Khi were the only batters to reach double figures. Faisal scored 16 runs off 42 deliveries, while Azizullah remained unbeaten with 15 runs off 29 balls.

Invited to bat first, Nepal were bowled out for 191 runs in 44.5 overs. Sahil Patel led Nepal's batting, top-scoring with 46 runs. He struck four boundaries and one six from 62 balls. Niraj Kumar Yadav contributed 42 runs off 62 balls, hitting six fours and one six. The duo put together an 83-run opening stand to give Nepal a solid start.

Roshan Bishwakarma added 28 runs, Captain Naren Bhatt chipped in with 22, and Darshan Sunuwar scored 10 runs. However, the rest of the batters failed to reach double figures.

For Afghanistan, Hafeez Zadran was the standout bowler with four wickets. Abdul Aziz and Zaitullah Shaheen picked up two wickets apiece, while Roohullah Arab and Mahboob Khan grabbed one wicket each.

Nepal had suffered a heavy defeat by 130 runs in the first match, while the second game ended in a nail-biting one-run victory for Afghanistan. After losing the first two matches, Nepal wrapped up the series with a consolation win. 

The series has been held as a preparation for the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifiers,which is set to kick off in Kathmandu from Sunday. Along with Nepal, Afghanistan, the UAE, Oman and Hong Kong are taking part in the qualifiers. Nepal will begin their campaign at the Qulifiers by taking on the UAE.