Nepal’s hope of playing seventh ICC U-19 World Cup ended as the United Arab Emirates thrashed it by 76 runs on Friday in the semifinal of the ACC U-19 Elite Cup being held in Malaysia.
As International Cricket Council (ICC) has a provision of promoting the champion of ACC U-19 Elite Cup, Nepal’s qualification dream ended with the semifinal loss. As UAE is pre-qualified for the upcoming U-19 World Cup as a host nation, Afghanistan confirmed its berth for the biggest age group tournament reaching the final after beating Malaysia on Friday.
It is the third time Nepal has failed to qualify to the ICC U-19 World Cup in the last nine editions. Nepal had failed to qualify for the U-19 World Cup in the 1998 and 2010. Nepal had played the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2012.
Nepal, which had registered emphatic victories in the group stage of the ACC tournament, won the toss and invited the UAE to bat first at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur. However, the decision backfired as the UAE went on to make a huge 271/7 in 50 overs, with Shorye Chopra hitting a blistering 114 off 115 balls with 17 fours and a six.
Chasing a big total, Nepal was all out for 195 in 46.1 overs. Napal batsman Harishankar Shah tried to anchor the innings as he garnered 52 runs off 67 balls with eight hits to the fence. Meanwhile skipper Bhuwan Karki offered some resistance scoring 41 off 48 balls with three fours and a six. Nirmal Thapa added 23 runs off 43 balls.
Besides, no other batsmen could make significant contribution to Nepal’s run chase. Dan D’Souza took four wickets and Saurabhkant Gir claimed two to leave Nepal way short of the winning total.
Earlier, the UAE had a wobbly start losing three wickets in 6.3 overs with just 32 runs on board. However, man of the match Chopra shared a massive 171-run fourth wicket partnership with Dan D’Souza (58) that not only repaired the early damage but also placed the Gulf side in a strong position to win the match. D’Souza who played an anchor role faced 105 balls and hit two fours.
Nepal’s Avinash Karna took three wickets, Karki, Sushant Bhari, Yagyaman Kumal and Nischal Pandey all took one wicket apiece.
Nepal will take on Malaysia on Saturday in the third place play-off. Nepal had defeated Malaysia by seven wickets on Wednesday in their last group stage match. Afghanistan defeated Malaysia by massive 140 runs on Friday. Afghanistan put on 233/8 in 50 overs and bowled out Malaysia for 93 runs in 45 overs. Afghanistan and the UAE will clash for the title on Saturday.
Nepal had clinched the ACC U-19 Elite Cup in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 while it had finished runner-up in 1999 and 2011.