KATHMANDU, AUG 16 –
Nepal defeated Singapore by 49 runs for their second consecutive victory in the ACC U-16 Premier League at the Kinrara Oval grounds in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday.
The result meant Nepal lead the league with six points from two matches, while Malaysia and Bahrain have four points each. The two teams shared points on Thursday after rain forced abandonment of the tournament opener. Nepal were the only team to come with a clear result on Thursday as they crushed Thailand by 10 runs in a match that ended before the scheduled lunch.
Skipper Sumit Maharjan and Pranit Thapa rescued Nepal with a steady fifth wicket partnership, lifting the team from 13-4 to 143-8 in 40 overs. Spinners Pawan Sharraf and Jitendra Singh tightened the screws as Singapore were 94 all out in 35.2 overs.
Nepal were in dire straits losing their first four
wickets for just 13 runs but Maharjan and Thapa consolidated the innings with a 78-run stand for the fifth wicket. Maharjan made 41 off 73 with six boundaries, while Thapa scored 32 off 48 with five fours. Aryam Uchil picked up 3-19 for Singapore.
Singapore had a modest start with their openers Rohan Rangarajan and Rahil Dharmesh putting on a 33-run stand for the first wicket but once Sharraf got into the act, the bowler triggered the batting collapse. Singapore lost 10 wickets for 62 runs. Man-of-the-match Sharraf picked up 4-12 and Jitendra Singh – who had taken 5-3 against Thailand on Thursday – returned with 3-15. Uchil top scored with 23 runs for Singapore.
After a rest day on Saturday, Nepal will take on Oman on Sunday but despite coming up with two clear victories, coach Raju Basnyat is not in the mood to be buoyed. “Despite playing two games, we cannot decide which team is strong and which is weak. If we take every opponent strong, definitely we will be able to give our best,” said Basnyat.
“We will come up with a new strategy to defeat Oman. Our bowlers did pretty well against Singapore today and we would like to continue that momentum. A lot depends on the nature of the pitch as well. Spin bowling has been our major weapon and will use it at the best against Oman,” added the coach.
In other matches of the day, Malaysia eased past Oman by five wickets at the Selangor Turf Club. Oman were bundled out for 117 in 33.2 overs after they were put in to bat first. Malaysia reached 120-5 in 27.3 overs. Bahrain saw off Thailand by seven wickets at the Royal Selangor Club. Thailand were 78 all out in 34.4 overs before Bahrain reached 79-3 in 19.1 overs.
Summary
Nepal 143-8 in 40 overs (S Maharjan 41, P Thapa 32; A Uchil 3-19) defeat Singapore 94 all out in 35.2 overs (P Sharraf 4-12, J Singh 15) by 49 runs
Posted on: 2014-08-16 09:00
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