Nepal’s pair of Nabin Shrestha and Prince Dahal inched closer to the men’s doubles title of the second South Asian U-21 Badminton Championships defeating Bangladeshi opponents in the semi-final in Halchowk on Saturday. 

The duo overcame first set deficit of 21-23 to beat Bangladesh’s Mangal Singh and Gaurab Singh 21-13, 21-13. They will meet Indian shuttlers Vishnuvardan Gaud and Dhruv Rawat in the final. They had  overcome Sri Lankan pair of Chamath Dias and Chirath Illuperumachi in straight sets of 21-14, 21-15. 

Host Nepal’s challenge in the men’s singles ended in the semi-final as both Nepali shuttlers – Sunil Joshi and Nabin Shrestha lost their last four matches. Joshi bowed out to Priyanshu Rajawat of India losing 21-7, 21-14 before Shrestha was beaten by Sri Lankan Ranthuska Sasindhu 21-14, 14-21,21-19.

The women’s singles saw India’s Malvika Bansod dispatched Fathima Nawah 21-9, 21-14 in the semi-final. She will meet compatriot Purba Burwe who overcome Sri Lanka’s Hasini Amblanggodge 14-21, 21-16, 21-17.  The Maldivian pair of Aminath Nahewa and Fathima Nawah made to women’s doubles final defeating Bangladesh’s duo of Rashma Akhtar and Urmi Akhtar 21-14, 21-14. In the other semi-final, India’s Purwa Barbe and Tanisha Castro’s pair edged Nepal’s Jessica Gurung and Sunaina Mukhiya 21-5, 21-8.   

Nepal also lost its mixed doubles match to Sri Lanka in the semi-final. Praful Maharjan and Rashila Maharjan lost to Ranthuska Sasindhu and Dilmi Dias 21-14, 21-11. In another semi-final India’s Tanish Castro and Vishnuvardan Gaud beat Bangladesh’s Farbin Binte Emdad and SS Md Siwagaat 21-7, 21-11.