Kathmandu- Nepal u-19 team produced another magnificent batting display as they trounced Kuwait u-19 by 262 runs to record second consecutive win in a match played at the Doha Entertainment City Ground, Kuwait City on Monday. Its was Nepal’s second 300 plus score in as many matches. It was Nepal U-19’s second highest total and the second highest win in terms of runs in a 50 over match. Previously, in 2011 U-19 Elite cup, Nepal scored 391/4 against Oman, winning the match by 304 runs.
Kuwait’s decision to let Nepal bat first after winning the toss didn’t favor them as Nepal posted 325 runs for the loss of seven wickets playing all 50 overs. The star of Nepal’s batting were the trio of Aarif Sheikh, who composed the innings well with 87 runs off 111 balls, and the late blitz of Saurav khanal, who scored 64 runs of just 35 balls and Dipendra Airee, who lasted 48 runs off just 20 balls. The duo of Saurav and Dipendra shared a partnership of 96 runs for the seventh wicket in only 41 balls that included 6 sixes and 6 fours.
Skipper Raju Rijal made 31 runs while Sandeep Sunar was just one short of a half century. Shahrukh Quddus finsihed with figures 8-1-48-2 whereas MM Ali and Bassam picked one wicket each for Kuwait.
In reply, Kuwait U-19 were bundled out for 63 run in the 28th over. Only two batsman crossed double digit score for Kuwait; Bilal Tahir run out 11 (21) and Faizaan Sidiq c&b Ahmed 10 (51). Dipesh Shrestha and Sunil Dhamala picked two wickets each for Nepal whereas Aarif Sheikh, Irshad Ahmed and Sushil Kandel grabbed a piece each.