Nepal suffered a painful one-run loss at the hands of Sri Lanka in their first Group ‘A’ match of the ACC U-19 Asia Cup at Nondescripts Cricket Club ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Thursday.

A collective bowling effort helped Nepal restrict Sri Lanka to 227-8 in 50 overs. Nepal were cruising along nicely at 196-5 in 44.3 overs before Avinash Karn’s dismissal triggered a collapse reducing the Associate nation to 220-9 in 48.5 overs.

Dipendra Airee, who earlier led Nepal’s charge with crucial partnerships, slammed a six in the second ball of the final over to leave Nepal two runs to get from four balls. But the Sri Lanka held firm as Praveen Jayawickrama trapped Dipendra leg before, denying Nepal their first victory against the Test giants in the tournament history.

The defeat could be costly for Nepal in their bid to reach the semi-finals with another Test giants and defending champions India awaiting them in another clash on Friday. India hammered Malaysia by 235 runs in another Group ‘A’ match on Thursday. 

Dipendra made 90 off 99 with nine fours and a six, an effort that earned him the man-of-the-match award. Nepal didn’t have best of the starts in their chase and lost openers Sandeep Sunar (two) and Aasif Sheikh (one) with just five runs on the board.

Bhim Sharki (eight) was next to go as the scores read 32-3 in 10 overs.

Airee stepped in and brought Nepal back in the match with a 45-run stand with Aadil Khan who made 39 off 64 with four boundaries and a six.

Dipendra added another 35 runs with Prakash KC (14) and brought the game well within Nepal’s grasp adding 84 runs for the sixth wicket with Avinash Karn. But  Karn was dismissed by Kamindu Mendis to turn the match on its head.

Karn scored 40 off 64 deliveries with three boundaries and a six. Mendis was pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with figures of 3-37 from eight overs.

Earlier, Nepal had a dream start when Kamal Airee removed Sri Lankan opener Vsihva Chathuranga in the first ball of the day. Reven Kelly (19) and Hasitha Boyagoda consolidated the Sri Lankan innings with a 68-run partnership for the second wicket.

Boyagoda led the Sri Lankan attack from the top order, making a 102-ball 83 that included six boundaries. He shared a crucial 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Krishan Arachchige (28). Ashen Bandara lifted Sri Lanka beyond triple figures with a 47-ball 48 that included five boundaries.

Kamal took 43-3 from eight overs, while Pawan Sarraf also had two scalps for Nepal. Leg spinner Sandeep Lamichhane went wicketless in his 10 overs conceding 42 runs.

In the Group ‘B’ matches, Pakistan beat Singapore by nine wickets and Bangladesh overcame Afghanistan by four wickets.

Summary

Sri Lanka 227-8 in 50 overs (J Boyagoda 83, A Bandara 48; KS Airee 3-43, P Sarraf 2-27) beat Nepal 226 in 49.3 overs (DS Airee 90, A Karn 40, A Khan 39; L Mendis 3-37, N Ransika 1-13) by one run

Man-of-the-match: DS Airee (NEP)