Sports
Nepal make it to semis
Nepal crushed Bhutan by nine wickets to enter the semi-finals of the ACC U-19 Eastern Region cricket tournament at the Kinrara Oval in Malaysia on Wednesday.Nepal crushed Bhutan by nine wickets to enter the semi-finals of the ACC U-19 Eastern Region cricket tournament at the Kinrara Oval in Malaysia on Wednesday.
On their way to registering a second consecutive comprehensive victory, Nepal restricted Bhutan for 51 runs on the back of solid bowling performance from skipper Dipendra Singh Airee and leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane. Nepal reached 51-1 from 8.3 overs in reply.
Nepal are tied on four points with Singapore but they lead Group ‘A’ standings on net run-rate. The two teams will clash on Thursday to decide the pool winners. Thailand—who were crushed by Nepal by 255 runs in the first game—along with Bhutan crashed out of the tournament that sends the champions to November’s ACC U-19 Asia Cup, also to be hosted by Malaysia.
Nandan Yadav gave Nepal an early breakthrough removing Jeewan Ghalley (one) in the third over before Airee destroyed the middle order with five wickets. Man-of-the-match Airee returned the figures of 5-23 from eight overs. Leg-spinner Lamichhane, who had taken seven wickets against Thailand—continued his fine performance in the age-group cricket, picking up 4-7 from seven overs with three maidens. Tashi Phuntsho offered some resistance from Bhutanese side making 16 from 65 balls with a boundary before he was dismissed as the last batsman falling prey to Lamichhane. Ugyen Dorji was Bhutan’s next best scorer with 13.
Nepal began their reply in the modest way after openers Aasif Sheikh and Sandeep Sunar added 39 runs for the first wicket in 6.5 overs. Sunar made 21 off 26 and Sheikh scored 23 from 21 with both batsmen hitting three boundaries apiece. Anil Sah remained unbeaten on four.
Nepal coach Binod Das said there were still some areas to improve on for his side despite the resounding victory. “Our idea for the game was to keep the ball in the right areas and the boys executed the plan really well. We conceded few extra runs today and we need to improve on this area against Singapore. We may be tipped as the tournament favourites but we cannot take things for granted,” said Das.
Delighted by a five-wicket haul, Airee said his side will continue to focus on their game. “Its good to win two games in a row. More than thinking about our opponents, we will remain focused in our game process and hopefully return home as champions,” said Airee.
Summary
Nepal 51-1 in 8.3 overs (A Sheikh 23 not out, S Sunar 21; 1-24) beat Bhutan 51 all out in 28 overs (T Phuntsho 16, U Dorji 13; DS Airee 5-23, S Lamichhane 4-7) by nine wickets
Man-of-the-match: DS Airee (NEP)