New Delhi- Zia Ur Rehman Akbar’s five wickets haul sank Nepal U19 and gave Afghanistan U19 83 runs win over Nepal U19 in the first practice match at St. Stephen College Ground, New Delhi on Monday.
Winning the toss and batting first, Afghan U19 made 232 for 9 in 45 overs, thanks to Tariq Stanikzai’s 64 runs off 69 balls and Naveed Obaid’s 44 runs off just 33 balls. Afghan had a very good opening with Obaid and Karim Janat sharing 58 runs for the first wicket in just 9.2 overs. Janat perished to Sandeep Lamichhane after making 14 runs.
Sushil Kandel provided Nepal second breakthrough four runs later, when he had Obaid caught by Yogendra Karki, leaving Afghanistan 62 for 2. Ihsanullah Janat and Tariq Stanikzai then shared 99 runs partnership for the third wicket that helped them post a competing total of 232 for 9. Aarif Sheikh and Sandeep Lamichhane were the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets each.
In reply, Nepal U19 were drowned from fierce Afghan bowling, especially Akbar, who grabbed five wickets, including the key wickets of Raju Rijal and Aarif Sheikh, as Nepal could only make 149 for 10 in 43.1 overs.
Only notable scores were Shankar Rana’s 37 runs off 77 balls and Dipendra Airee’s 42 runs off 42 balls. The duo shared 66 runs for the seventh wicket after Nepal were already 6 for 50 in 21 overs.
Both the teams will play each other again on 13 January in the second practice match before concluding the tour.
Match Summary
Afghan U19- 232/9, 45 ov, Tariq Stanikzai 64(69), Naveed Obaid 44(33), Aarif Sheikh 3/40, Sandeep Lamichhane 3 /43, beat
Nepal U19- 149/10, 43.1 ov, Dipendra Airee 42(40), Shankar Rana 37(77), Zia Akbar 5/16, by 83 runs.
