Nepal has elected to bat first after winning the toss in the quarter-finals match against hosts Bangladesh in the ICC U-19 World Cup at Mirpur on Friday.

Nepal U-19 team coach Jagat Tamata, talking to the Post, said that the team has learnt the lesson after being defeated by Indian expressing his confidence that the Nepali U-19s will bounce back.

"The boys have learnt lesson after India defeat<' said Tamata, However, I am confident that they will bounce back."

Nepal’s only encounter against the Tigers in U-19 World Cup came in 2002 when they defeated the now settled Test playing nation by 23 runs in the Plate semi-finals. But Bangladesh cricket has come a long way and so has their junior team.

At the home turf, they have underlined their title credentials with convincing victories over South Africa (by 43 runs), Scotland (by 114 runs) and Namibia (by eight wickets) to finish as Group ‘A’ winners. Nepal had a flying start in the tournament when they stunned Test giants New Zealand by 32 runs before crushing Ireland by 8 wickets.

But Nepal were given a reality check when India hammered them by seven wickets in the last Group ‘D’ game. Bangladesh have never reached the semi-finals of the U-19 World Cup and with minnows Nepal awaiting them next, they have their eyes firmly set on a new history.

“The journey has been good so far and if we can get to the semi-finals, there is every chance of something good happening. I can feel it,” Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hassan told the ICC on the eve of the match. Hassan, however, added his side do not have luxury to relax.

“We have seen a bit of Nepal, whose players seem to be enjoying their cricket. We may be more experienced than them, but one can’t afford to relax in a knockout game,” he said. Bangladesh, who have five players taking part in their second under-19 World Cup, have not looked back after knocking out holders South Africa.

Nazmul Hossain Santo scored an unbeaten century against Scotland, while seamer Mohammad Saifuddin and spinner Saleh Ahmed are the bowling spearheads with seven wickets apiece.

Nepal will have a mountain to climb to get the better of a balanced Bangladesh side which has a decent batting and bowling attack. Buoyed by their victories over New Zealand and Ireland, Nepal headed into the clash against India with confidence. But a whirlwind knock from opener Rishab Panta saw India

chase 170-run target in just 18.1 overs.

 “We made few mistakes against India and we must make amends against Bangladesh,” said Nepal coach Jagat Tamatta. “There is a huge challenge to play against the hosts but we cannot think that way. We will play our normal game,” added the coach.

Tamatta was well aware of the Bangladeshi strength. “The top five Bangladeshi batsmen are doing quite well. But we have our plans. If we stop them to below 200 or score ourselves above 225, we can expect a good contest.”

Tamatta also hinted of fielding an unchanged squad. After watching his medium pacers thwarted by India, Tamatta will pin hopes on the spin attack led by Sandeep Lamichhane, Prem Tamang, Sushil Kandel and Sunil Dhamala. Tamatta once again hopes his top order to come in handy against Bangladesh.

Top Associate to qualify directly

KATHMANDU: The International Cricket Council on Thursday decided to give the highest-placed Associate team of the current U-19 World Cup an automatic qualification for the 2018 edition to be held in New Zealand. Nepal and Namibia are currently the highest-placed Associate teams with both teams playing the quarter-finals. (PR)