Sarfaraz, Avesh take India U-19 to World Cup quarters

Nepal U-19 pulled off a dramatic 32-run win to topple New Zealand U-19 in a thrilling encounter in Fatullah.

The last time Nepal had beaten a Test-playing nation in an U-19 World Cup was in 2008 in Malaysia when they had recorded a 99-run win against Zimbabwe in the ninth place play-off quarterfinal. It looked like the contest was done before Dale Phillips kept New Zealand in the hunt with 41, and along with Nathan Smith brought the equation down from 95 off 60 to 41 off 24.

Nepal started the match in the front foot after restricting Ireland to 131 runs in 50 overs. However, IPL find Sarfaraz Khan and Washington Sundar restored their side’s belief with a 110-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Pakistan’s leg-spinner Shadab Khan grabbed four for nine in five overs and seamer Hasan Mohsin took three for 24 as Afghanistan was bundled out for 126 after being sent in to bat. After electing to bat first, the Lankans racked up 315 runs for the loss of six wickets.

Pakistan surpassed the modest target in the 32nd over with Zeeshan Malik making 29, Hasan Mohsin an unbeaten 28 and Mohammad Umar 25.

Nepal U19 team is creating quite a stir in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2016. “I tried to bowl as straight as possible without trying too many things”, he said.

Sri Lanka U19 produced a dominant display with both bat and ball to stroll to a huge win against Canada U19 in Sylhet. Zia-ur-Rehman picked up two wickets while Rashid Khan, who has already represented Afghanistan on the global stage, claimed one victim.

Lamichhane went all out with four more wickets in his name, William McClintock (2), Adam Dennison (21), Lorcan Tucker (15) and Fiachra Tucker (0).

NEPAL VS NEW ZEALAND NEPAL: 238 for 7 in 50 overs (Rijal 48, Sunar 39, Sheikh 39, Bhurtel 35 not out; Smith 3-58) NEW ZEALAND: 206 all out in 47.1 overs (Phillips 52, Finnie 37, Phillips 41; Airee 3-24, Tamang 2-38) Result: Nepal beat New Zealand by 32 runs.