Although not very convincingly, Nepal defeated Singapore by three wickets at Hubara Ground, Kuwait to qualify for the semifinals of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup 2009.
Singapore scored 171 in 49.5 overs – a score that Nepal surpassed in 44.5 overs with three wickets remaining.
Gyanendra Malla made second half-century of the event scoring 62 and giving the team stability after opener Anil Mandal had got 36.
Prithu Baskota (13) contributed a few before the pair of Rom Shrestha (16 not out) and Sagar Khadka (15 not out) added unbeaten 35 runs for Nepal’s victory in front of flag-waving supporters numbering nearly 100.
With the third win in as many matches, Nepal confirmed a place in the semifinals from Group A. Nepal is atop with six points and has still to play Hong Kong on Monday.
Malaysia is currently second with two wins from three matches whereas Hong Kong, with two matches in hand, is third along with Saudi Arabia with two points each.
Singapore, after third defeat, is out of contention while Malaysia, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia all remain in contention for a remaining semifinal spot from the group.
The other team to book a semifinal berth is Afghanistan from Group B.
Singapore won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite losing wickets regularly, they managed to get 171 playing 49.5 overs.
Rezza Gaznavi topscored with 39 while Irfan Madakia got 30. Contribution of runs came from all batsmen with Timohty Singham (16), Prem Dadlani (16), Prasheen Param (15), Satyajit Rao (11) and Abhisekh Sukla (11) all hitting a few.
For Nepal, Rom got 3/29 and Sagar claimed 2/24. Amrit Bhattarai, Chandra Saud, Lal Bahadur Adhikari and Prithu each took a wicket.
Nepal lost Sunny Pun in the first over and Antim Thapa cheaply to go 30/2 in 10 overs.
Gyanendra anchored the innings adding runs with Anil (36) and Akash (8) but he too was adjudged lbw off Abhiraj Singh after 62 from 63 balls with eight fours.
Nepal’s coach Roy Dias admitted it was a nervous win. “Too close for comfort,” he said. “Guys lost wickets at regular times and created pressure. We are missing a quality spinner in our side.”
Gyanendra believed it was pressure that was harming Nepal. “We lost wickets at unnecessary times,” he said. “In fielding also we gave away a little more runs due to some poor fielding. Boys are not taking responsibility but pressure.”
And, Singapore coach knew it could have been their victory had a few things gone right. M. Venkataramana said: “It was a lifetime opportunity to beat Nepal but we missed it.”
This was Singapore’s sixth loss against Nepal.