Rahul Biswokarma’s brilliant bowling ensured Nepal 13th position in the ICC U19 World Cup and a victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG) by six wickets to end the tournament in a positive note.
Rahul claimed 6 wickets for 3 runs – the best bowling figure in the tournament to bowl out PNG for 89 in 33.1 over. Nepal achieved the target in 18.5 overs losing four wickets.
With the victory, Nepal is now ranked 13th among 16 participating teams. Nepal ended the tournament in which it suffered four straight losses with a positive note with two victories.
Rahul Biswokarma took 6/4 as Nepal beat PNG by 6 wickets to earn 13th place in U19 CWC. Photo ICC
At Peter Burge Oval, Brisbane, PNG won the toss and elected to bat first. They began cautiously and was positioned at a good foundation with 51/1 in 16th over before they lost the way and started losing wickets.
Rahul played the chief destroyer ripping through PNG’s middle and lower order. He was also the one to run out the last man. Captain Prithu Baskota took 2 wickets for 14 runs in 5 overs while Pradeep Airee took a wicket.
For PNG, it was S Bau (21), C Amini (19), L Siaka (18) and D Bau (13) who reached double-digit figure.
Nepal began with Sagar Pun attacking but lost Subash Khakurel without scoring in third over. Sagar (20) and Naresh Budayer (27) stablalized the innings a little before Sagar, Naresh and Prithu Baskota (6) all fell to K Geita, who was the debutant in Youth ODIs.
Rajesh Pulami (18 not out) and Pradeep (12 not out) took Nepal home safely for a resounding victory 11 balls after lunch.