Nepal fix semis date with Malaysia in U16 East Zone Cup

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 2: Nepal are just two wins away from defending their ACC U-16 East Zone Cup title after cruising into the semi-finals with a commanding 298-run victory over Bhutan on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur.

With the win, Nepal finished unbeaten at the top of Group A with 8 points from four matches, having earlier defeated Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia. Singapore came second in the group with 6 points.

Hosts Malaysia ended Group B as runners-up and will face Nepal in Thursday’s semi-final. Group B toppers Hong Kong meet Group A runners-up Singapore in the other semi. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

Nepal's final group-stage match was another dominant display. Electing to bat at the Selangor Turf Club, the young Rhinos piled on 358 for 5 in 50 overs—this tournament's second-highest total after their 420-run effort against Indonesia.

Star batter Raunak Srivastav led from the front with a stunning 168 off 132 balls, smashing 16 fours and 5 sixes. His knock now stands as the highest individual score by a Nepali player in any recognised 50-over tournament, surpassing Arjun Kumal’s 143 in the 2023 ACC U19 Premier Cup.

Raunak had earlier scored 88 against Indonesia and 40 against Singapore. He also struck a double century in last month’s U-16 National Tournament representing Lumbini Province.

After an early wobble at 17 for 2, Raunak steadied the innings with a 91-run partnership with Shiwansh Bajgain, who made 54. He later added 72 runs with Sugam Budhathoki (35) and forged a mammoth 170-run stand with Joy Thapa, who stayed unbeaten on 61. Sachin Bhatta chipped in with a quickfire 8 from 2 balls at the death.

For Bhutan, Sangay Dorji claimed 3 wickets, while Tenzin Loday Jamtsho took one.

In reply, Bhutan were bundled out for just 60 in 32.4 overs as Nepal’s bowlers tightened the screws. Captain Bipin Prasad Sharma led the charge with 4 wickets for 7 runs, bowling six maidens in his 10-over spell. Sachin Bhatta picked up 2 for 15 from eight overs with five maidens, and Suyog Bhattarai also grabbed two wickets.

Rain ended the match prematurely with Bhutan’s ninth wicket down and their last batter unable to take the field.

Tshezang Dawa (14) and opener Ugyen Kelzang (10) were the only Bhutanese players to reach double figures.