Nepal defeats Afghanistan by one wicket in U-19 Asia Cup

KATHMANDU: Nepal defeated Afghanistan by one wicket in its final group-stage match of the 2024 U-19 Asia Cup in Sharjah on Tuesday.

Fielding first, Nepal restricted Afghanistan to 123 runs in 35.4 overs. Nepal then chased down the target in 41.3 overs, losing nine wickets.

Although Nepal removed both Afghan openers for ducks, Faisal Khan scored a half-century to revive Afghanistan’s innings. He scored 52 off 67 balls. Khatir Khan Stanikzai added 15, Barkat Ibrahimzai contributed 12, Allah Ghazanfar hit 11, and Naseer Khan Maroofkhi chipped in with 10 runs.

Unish Bikram Singh Thakuri and Santosh Yadav took three wickets each for Nepal, while Hemant Dhami and Abhisekh Tiwari claimed two apiece.

Naren Saud top-scored for Nepal with a 54-ball 26. Captain Hemant Dhami remained unbeaten on 22 off 33 balls which included consecutive fours to secure the victory with only one wicket remaining. Arjun Kumal and Abhisekh Tiwari scored 21 and 13 runs, respectively. Dhami hit consecutive fours to secure the victory with only one wicket remaining.

Captain Dhami, who took two wickets and hit the winning, received the Player of the Match award.

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh progressed into the semifinal from Group ‘B’.