In the virtual Super Six Qualifier in East London, Nepal led by Aakash Chand‘s superb spell put on a strong bowling performance against Afghanistan.
Asked to bowl first, Nepal struck five times in the Powerplay, including once each in the first two overs.
Gulshan Jha opened up with the wicket in the very first over but the star of the show was Aakash Chand, who took the lead, snaring five wickets before the 12-over mark. He grabbed fifer in just eight overs (8-0-34-5) giving away 34 runs including 5 wides.
Aakash Chand became the fourth bowler and first pacer to pick up a five-wicket haul for Nepal in U19 World Cup.
Pegged back by Chand’s sensational bowling display, Afghanistan were bowled out for 145 runs in 40.1 overs. Dipesh Kandel took two scalps whilst Tilak Bhandari, Subash Bhandari and Gulshan Jha took wicket apiece.
End of the Match
Later, Chand was adjudged Player of the Match. He elated at his bowling performance and also talked of the nerves when he went out to bat in the tense final moments.
Chand said, “I was feeling nervous [when batting] towards the end. I was just closing my eyes and praying to God. The last time we qualified was in 2016. It’s this one after that. Nothing better can happen for us. With the new ball, I was just look for swing and it worked out”.
Afghanistan 145 (40.1 overs), AM Ghazanfar 37, Naseer Khan Maroofkhil 31, Faridoon Dawoodzai 29
