Nepal has clinched the title that had eluded it for so long. The Nepali boys won the ACC U-16 Premier title defeating Malaysia by 32 runs in Malaysia today.
The jubiliant Nepal U-16 team after winning the ACC U-16 Premier.
Photo courtesy: ACC
The U-16 was the only tournament Nepal had not won so far in the age group cricket tournament at the ACC level. Earlier, Nepal had finished runner-up of the ACC U-16 Elite Cups twice, in 2010 in Nepal and in 2012 in Malaysia.
Chasing the 163-run target set by Nepal, Malaysia could only manage 129 runs in 36 overs, losing all the wickets.
Earlier, Nepal posted 161 for 9, after host Malaysia opted to field first, winning the toss at Kinrara Oval in Kaula Lumpur. Pawan Sarraf and Rabindra Jung Shahi came up with crucial knock in Nepal’s total which suffered an early setback in batting.
Nepal’s start was disappointing as it lost opener Sushant Singh Thapa (9 runs off 18 balls) in the 5.4 overs with 15 runs on the board. Rabi Chand (7) was also sent to pavilion in the 11.5 overs by Muhammad Haziq providing an early shock to Nepal. But the other opener Mahamad Asif Sheikh (20 runs of 55 balls) and Rabindra Jung Shahi (34-run off 57-balls) shared an important 40-run partnership for the third wicket to give Nepali innings some momentum. Mahamad smashed three fours while Rabindra smashed two.
Nepal had lost six wickets in the 30th over with 94 runs on board, but Jitendra Singh (13 from 21-ball) and Pawan Sarraf (44 off 26) shared highest 56 runs partnership for the seventh wicket. The man-of-the-match Pawan cracked two sixes and four fours in his 26-ball knock to put Nepal in comfort zone.
“This was a big match and boys were a bit nervous so we had a slow start but they played like professional cricketers and we put some fighting total on the board,” said Coach Raju Basnyat.
Muhammad Islah Muhaimin bagged four wickets in his eight over spell giving away 32 runs, while Muhammad Hazq and Mohamad Shahriel Aizat claimed two wickets each for Malaysia.
Defending the target, Nepal’s fielding was tight as it bowled out Malaysia for 129 runs in 36.2 overs. Four Malaysian batsmen lost wickets to run outs.
Malaysian opener batsmen Virandeep Singh (5) and Mohammad Ikhwan Faiz (8) were run out in the fourth and 11th overs. Then Jitendra Singh got two important wickets of Mohamad Shaihriel Aizat (10) and Shauvinder Singh (10). Malaysia’s highest scorer Muhammad Fadli Haris (34 off 32) became Rijan Dhakal’s victim. Ashish Pokhrel and Sumit Maharjan bagged a wicket each to give Nepal historic victory in the age group tournament.
“Our fielding was superb today as boys got four run-outs and spinners bowling was again good today that made us champion,” said elated coach Basnyat after the victory.
Nepal won all five matches of the tournament held in round robin format among the six non test playing nations.
Earlier, Nepal had won ACC U-15 twice, ACC U-17 once, and ACC U-19 four times.
Meanwhile, Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced to reward Rs 20,000 to each member of the team.
Nepal U-16 team lifting the ACC U-16 Premier title.
Pic courtesy: ACC