Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – Nepal have concluded their ACC U-19 Asia Cup campaign with a resounding defeat at the hands of India. In a one-sided encounter, India triumphed over Nepal by ten wickets, chasing down a modest target of 53 runs in just 7.1 overs.
India achieved the target with ease, reaching 57 runs in 7.1 overs without losing a single wicket. Arshin Kulkarni made a quickfire 43 runs off 30 deliveries in the chase. His innings included one boundary and five sixes. Adarsh Singh, his opening partner, scored 13 off 13 balls, hitting two fours.
Nepal’s bowling efforts struggled to contain the Indian onslaught. Gulshan Jha bowled four overs, conceding 33 runs, while Hemant Dhami gave away 12 runs in his two overs. Aakash Chand completed his spell of 1.1 overs, yielding 12 runs in the process.
Earlier, Nepal, having lost the toss and being asked to bat first, got bundled over for a mere 52 runs in 22.1 overs. None of the Nepali batters managed to reach double figures. Hemant Dhami, batting at number ten, was the highest scorer for Nepal with eight runs.
Opener Arjun Kumal and Dipak Bohora both added seven runs to the total. Gulshan Jha and Dipesh Kandel posted four runs each, while skipper Dev Khanal and Subash Bhandari were dismissed after making two runs apiece. Opener Deepak Bohora managed just one run, while Deepak Dumre and Uttam Magar were sent pack to the pavilion with ducks.
India’s Raj Limbani took seven wickets and conceded only 13 runs in his 9.1-over spell, which included two maidens. Aaradhya Shukla contributed with figures of 2-31 in nine overs, including two maidens, while Arshin Kulkarni took the remaining wicket, bowling two overs and giving away seven runs. Saumy Pandey remained wicketless in his two overs but was economical, conceding just one run with one maiden.
This defeat followed Nepal’s previous setbacks in the tournament, suffering a seven-wicket loss against Pakistan in the first match and a 73-run defeat to Afghanistan in the second.
Nepal U-19 National Team will be competing at the ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa, commencing on January 19. New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan constitute Group D alongside Nepal. Before the World Cup, Nepal will play warm-up matches against Scotland on January 13 and West Indies on January 16.
