Nepal pip Afghanistan in low-scoring thriller, and make it to Super Six Berth

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Jan 26, 2024

Aakash Chand and Dev Khanal performed as Nepal came out on top with a one-wicket win against Afghanistan in a low-scoring thriller on Friday at Buffalo Park, East London, and advanced to the Super Six of ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup 2024.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan could only manage 145 runs, losing all wickets in 40.1 overs. The Afghans’ bowler took it down the wire as Nepal lost nine wickets to complete the challenge in 44.4 overs.

Nepal would have expected the chase to be scroll but Faridoon Dawoodzai and Khalil Ahmed stuck thrice early on, inside the power play, with the score reading 24/3.

Dev Khanal then developed a 49-run stand for the fourth wicket with Aakash Tripathi (16). Dev went on to add a 36-run for the seventh wicket with Dipak Bohora, who scored 42-ball 27 hitting four boundaries.

Dev top-scored with 58 off 87 balls leasing with seven fours, but he couldn’t see the game through and it eventually needed Subash Bhandari (9 not out) to hit the winning runs, having walked in at number nine.
Faridoon finished with 3-21 in 4.4 overs. Khalil picked two wickets, leaking 31 runs in his 10 overs.

Earlier, Aakash Chand picked five wickets and became the fourth Nepalese bowler to do so in the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup history. He conceded 34 runs in 8 overs. Dipesh Kandel also chipped in with two wickets, giving away only 17 runs in his 8 overs.

AM Ghazanfar scored a quick-fire 37 off 21 balls hitting four fours and three sixes for the losing side. At one stage, Afghanistan were reeling at 88 for 8 in the 21st over before Faridoon rescued them, scoring 65-ball 29 with four boundaries.