Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal suffered a 55-run defeat against Sri Lanka in its first match of the 2024 U-19 Asia Cup.
Although Nepal restricted Sri Lanka to 233 runs, it could only score 178 in 46.2 overs.
Sharujan Shanmuganathan top-scored for Sri Lanka with a 99-ball 62. Lakvin Abeysinghe also hit a half-century, scoring 50 from 53 balls. Kavija Gamage scored 37, while Dulnith Sigera and Vimath Dinsara contributed 24 each.
Santosh Yadav took four wickets for Nepal, while Yuvraj Khatri claimed two, and Hemant Dhami and Naren Saud got one wicket each.
Chasing 234, Nepal added 39 runs for the first wicket before opener Aakash Tripathi fell on the last ball of the 11th over. Another opener, Mayan Yadav, scored 62 off 95 balls. Nepali middle-order batters got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Uttam Thapa Magar and Naren Saud scored 17 and 16, respectively, while Arjun Kumal and Naren Bhatta contributed 12 each. Santosh Yadav scored 10 runs. Other Nepali batters failed to reach double digits.
Praveen Maneesha took three wickets for Sri Lanka, while Vihas Thevmika, Newton Ranjithkumar, and Mathulan Khugathas claimed two wickets each. Viran Chamudhita also picked up one wicket.
Nepal will play its next game against Bangladesh on December 1.
