Kathmandu, April 3: Nepal has been defeated by Afghanistan by a wide margin of 130 runs in the match played between U-19 teams of the two countries at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground today.
Chasing the target of 301 runs set by Afghanistan, Nepal was bundled out for 170 runs in 46.2 overs, losing all its wickets. For Nepal, opener Neeraj Kumar Yadav scored 53 runs off 61 balls while Santosh Yadav scored 24 runs off 39 balls. Similarly, Ashok Dhami scored 24, Abhishek Tiwari scored 17 and captain Naren Bhatt scored 13 runs.
For Afghanistan, Wahidullah Zadran, Ziaullah Shahidi and Mehboob Khan took two wickets each. Similarly, Abdul Aziz, Noristani Umzain and Nazifullah Amiri took one wicket each.
Earlier, electing to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan scored 300 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. Faisal Khan Shinozada contributed the most with 97 runs while Khalid Ahmadzai scored 76 runs and Barkhat Ibrahimzai scored 35 runs.
For Nepal, Santosh Yadav took three wickets, Abhishek Tiwari took two and Dayanand Mandal and Bipin Prasad Sharma took one wicket each.
Nepal and Afghanistan are playing a three-match series in preparation for the Asia qualifiers for the U-19 Men’s World Cup. The second match of the series will be held on April 6.
