The lone representative from Nepal in the Under-15 Asia Select XI team, wicket-keeper opener scored a century in the two-day match against KCCA-KPT U-15 team in Karachi of Pakistan yesterday.The match ended in a draw.
Resuming at 65*, Select Asia U-15 were well served by Dipen who made a gallant 104 punctuated with 11 fours. Mohammad Kasman also batted patiently for 40 as Asia U-15 were all out for 189 in exactly 60 overs in reply of the hosts first innings total of 301. Medium pacer Saad Azeem and Ahsan Khan took two wickets apiece for 37 and 7 runs respectively.
KCCA-KPT enjoying a first innings lead of 112 runs, started shakily losing four early wickets for only 26 runs. However Hafiz Asad and Ahsan Khan batted aggressively to take the score to 91 for 4 before Karachi made a courageous declaration. Hafiz Asad followed his first innings century with 52 not out in the second innings. Ahsan Khan also remained unbeaten with 25, adding 65 runs for the unbeaten fifth wicket partnership.
Needing 204 runs for victory in 45 overs, Asia U-15 lost 3 quick wickets for 43 runs. Then Prem Dadlani of Singapore and Irfan Ahmed of Hong Kong rescued their side adding 30 runs for the fourth wicket until Dadlani was adjudged lbw off Hafiz Asad for 14.
Irfan Ahmed soon followed bowled by Ramiz for 27 and then Saifullah of Oman fell for 17, leaving the ACC team struggling at 104 for 6. However James Atkinson of Hong Kong with 24 not out and Navtej Singh of Kuwait with 52 not out batted courageously to save the match without further damage. They fell just 26 runs short of what would have been a highly commendable victory.
Summarized Scores: KCCA-KPT: 301 in 60 overs (Hafiz Asad 100, Hamza Ishtiaq 72) and 91 for 4 decl. in 13 overs (Hafiz Asad 52*) Asia U-15: 189 in 60 overs (Dipen Shreshta 104, Mohammad Kasman 40) and 178 for 6 in 45 overs (Navtej Singh 52 not out)