By Devendra Subedi, Colombo
Nepal finally tasted victory in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Colombo today with a comprehensive 60-run win over Ireland at the Nondescript Cricket Club (NCC) Ground.
Sharad Vesawkar made his third half century in the U-19 World Cup while Kanishka Chaugai was once again unlucky to have missed the milestone after Ireland elected to field first. Paras Khadka was also amongst the runs while Gyanendra Malla threw away another chance after a good start.
Under the overcast sky, Kanishka hammered the Irish bowlers and gave Nepal a god start with a 54-run opening stand with Mahesh Chhetri. Kanishka made 40 off just 36 balls with a six and five boundaries. The first 50 was up in the fifth over before Kanishka lobbed one off a spinner to short covers. Man of the match Sharad played brilliantly and remained unbeaten on 82. He played 116 balls and hit one beautiful six and four boundaries.
Vice captain Paras, who took over the captaincy once Sashi replaced Kanishka in the second innings, gave a superb support to Sharad with an 89-run fourth wicket stand. He made 47 of 65 balls. With seven wickets remaining and 17 overs to go, Nepal could have finished slightly better but the last 10 overs produced just 63 runs. Nepal finished the innings at 234/8, its highest in the tournament so far.
Spinners once again put pressure on Nepali batsmen but Paras’ positive approach made it easier as Sharad and the vice-captain were able to rotate the strike. MacDarby picked three wickets for the Irish.
Chasing 230 plus on a spinner friendly wicket was never going to be easy for Ireland but skipper Eoin Morgan, who plays county cricket for Sussex, fought bravely with an innings of 86 runs that featured two huge sixes and seven boundaries. Ultimately Nepali spinners held their nerves when Ireland was cruising at 145/3 in the 37th over. Irish skipper had no support from the other end and was stumped off super-sub Sashi Keshari.
Once Morgan returned back a the fall of the sixth wicket, the rest fell to Nepali spinners for just 25 runs. Sashi and Ratan picked a couple of wickets each while Basanta, Raj, Bantu and Paras claimed one scalp each.
“Nepal spinners bowled superbly and our guys were not able to rotate the strike. They batted superbly and their better team effort won them the match,†said Irish skipper Morgan. “They looked more focused and determined to win than our boys.â€Â
“This is a very important win for the boys. This will make our Plate Championship campaign much easier,†said Nepali coach Roy Dias. “Sharad played a great knock, Paras and Kanishka were brilliant as well,†he added.
Man of the match Sharad said, “I am really happy to be able to play a part in the win. I was determined to bat till the end and Paras gave a very good support.†Acting skipper Paras said, “It was always going to be tough to chase 230 plus. I thought we batted well in the morning despite being put in and our bowlers bowled with a lot of discipline.†He attributed the win to a very good team effort.