Nepal Under-19 cricket team suffered a 111-run loss against host Bangladesh U-19 at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium, Fatullah on Thursday.
With the loss in the opener, Nepal went down 1-0 in the three-match series, the second of which will be played on Saturday at the same venue.
Paras Khadka won the toss and elected to field first. Left arm pacer and Paras himself took a wicket each to give Nepal a good start as Bangladesh were reduced to 35/2 in 9 overs.
But then it was Mohd Mithun and Mohd Nadimuddin, who not only defied Nepal further wickets but also scored freely. Each of them scored a century, with Mithun getting 142 off 137 balls with 14 fours and three sixes while Nadimuddin netted 118 of 134 with 13 fours, and partnered 261 runs for third wicket.
Paras and Amrit came back to remove both but it was too last as Bangladesh finished their 50 overs in style with 302/4 on board. Paras gave away 40 runs while Amrit gave away 53 runs and they were only two bowlers to hit for less than six runs an over.
With a huge target, Nepal never looked like achieving it and played the match for batting practice than for win. Nepal played out 50 overs without being all out and finished the day at 191/8 – losing the match by 111 runs.
Anil Mandal missed a half-century by two runs. He played 124 balls and hit five fours for 48. Paras scored 36 and Gyanendra Malla got 27 runs. Puspa Thapa (23*) and Rahul BK (14) also contributed to the total. Mahmudul Hasan, Syed Golam Kibria, Nadimuddin, Dollar Mahmud and Saikat Ali took one wicket each.
The next match is on Saturday, Jan 26, and the last match is on Monday, Jan 28.