By a Staff Reporter
Kathmandu (HamroKhelkud) – Pakistan have handed Nepal a second successive defeat at the ongoing ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa. Nepal, who suffered a loss against New Zealand in the first match, were defeated by Pakistan by five wickets in the second.
Pakistan got over the line chasing 198 runs in 47.4 overs at the loss of just five wickets. Azan Awais remained unbeaten on 63 off 82 with six fours in his innings. At the other end, Haroon Arshad was not out on 15 off 18 deliveries.
Opener duo of Shamyl Hussain and Shahzaib Khan made 37 runs each and were dismissed by Aakash Chand. Arafat Minhas’s eight-run inning was also cut short by Aakash. Skipper Saad Baig was dismissed for a duck by Aakash Tripathi while Ahmad Hassan’s 29 off 37 was brought to an end by Dipesh Kandel.
Aakash Chand took three wickets for Nepal with Aakash Tripathi and Dipesh Kandel chipping in with one wicket each.
Earlier, Nepal, opting to bat after winning the toss, were bundled over for 197 runs in the final ball of the innings.
Opener Bipin Rawal who was brought into the side as a part of three changes, was the highest run-getter for Nepal. He made 39 off 68 with four fours and a six. Arjun Kumal, who played a brilliant inning against New Zealand could only get six runs to his name.
Deepak Dumre scored 26 off 58 while skipper Dev Khanal failed to prolong his 23-run innings. Subash Bhandari made 20 runs off 24, Gulsan Jha scored 18 off 47 and Dipesh Kandel added 13 runs to the total off 17 deliveries. Uttam Magar was dismissed on four runs. Aakash Chand remained unbeaten on 16 of 11 deliveries.
Arafat Minhas took three wickets for Pakistan with Ubaid Shah, Ahmad Hassan taking two each and Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan and Ali Asfand taking one wicket each.
Nepal will take on Afghanistan in their final group match on January 26. Both teams have zero points so far. The winners of that match will finish third and will qualify for the super sixes.
