Nepal move to 2nd position with 83-run win over Kuwait in ACC Under-19 Premier League in Kuala Lumpur

Nepal are now tied with Malaysia with six points, with the former edging past due to the superior net run-rate.

Nepal registered a comfortable 83-run victory against Kuwait in the 12th match of the ongoing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 Premier League tournament at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Kuwait finished on 167 for 9 at the end of their quota of 50 overs during their chase of 251 set by the Nepal Under-19 team. Sushil Kandel was the pick among the Nepal bowlers with figures of 2 for 16 from 10 overs, including two maidens. Nepal are now tied with Malaysia with six points each, with the former now occupying the second position due to their superior net run-rate. Afghanistan continues to top the table with eight points, thanks to their unbeaten run, while Saudi Arabia languish at the bottom with a four defeats in as many games.

Kuwait lost their first wicket with 28 runs on board, with Mushtaq Ahmed getting bowled off the bowling of Aarif Sheikh for 22 off 25 balls. They were looking in contention for winning the match after reaching a score of 103 for 3, with Mohammed Meezan Ali well settled at the crease. A flurry of wickets however, saw them collapse to 120 for 7, with Ali managing to get to his half-century despite the carnage around him. Ali eventually remained unbeaten on 84 as Kuwait batted the rest of the overs out. Only the first five batsmen could score in double-figures.

Nepal were off to a disastrous start during their innings, after winning the toss and electing to bat. They were reeling at a score of 34 for 5, with a sub-100 total being very much in the cards for them. Mohammad Fouzi (3 for 34) and Shahrukh Quddus (2 for 39) caused most of the early damage, as four of the top six batsmen returned to the pavilion for single figures. They were eventually rescued, thanks to a 130-run stand between Dipendra Singh Airee (85 off 91 balls) and Saurav Khanal (73 off 115), with the former scoring at a much faster rate, with a strike rate of 93.4. Prem Tamang remained unbeaten on 23 to help Nepal finish on 250 for 8.

Brief scores:

Nepal Under-19s 250 for 8 in 50 overs (Dipendra Singh Airee 85, Saurav Khanal 73; Mohammad Fouzi 3 for 34, Shahrukh Quddus 2 for 39) beat Kuwait Under-19s 167 for 9 in 50 overs (Mohammed Ali 84*; Sushil Kandel 2 for 16, Prem Tamang 2 for 36) by 83 runs.

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