Malaysia took the revenge of their last bitter loss and halted the hopes of Nepali U-16 Cricket team from lifting the maiden and the only age level category cup left, after the host registered a thrilling one wicket victory over the favorites Nepal at Kinrara Oal Ground, Kualalampur, Malaysia.
Nepali batsman failed to play their part and had to suffer for a low total of 117 runs in 33 overs where they lost all of their wickets. In reply, good looking Malaysia had the game turned towards their side from the beginning and Virandeep Singh from Malaysia played a not out innings of 55 runs to guide the host to a trophy.
For Nepal, skipper Dipendra Chand and Nurdhoj Sen gave Nepal a solid start. But this start was shattered after Dipendra failed to capitalize the chance and had to return to pavilion with 21 runs in account. Dipendra had hit 3 fours during his play.
Aashif Seikh later joined Dipendra with just 7 runs. At the stage, Nepal was already struggling with a low run rate; were at 43 for 2 in 11th over. Aadil Khan was bowled by Shankar Goonasagaran in first ball of the seventeenth over.
Nepal received a blow when Nurdhoj Sen was trapped leg before wicket in first ball of eighteenth over leaving Nepal to 63 for 4. Anup Neupane was also trapped lbw in the nineteenth over and Nepal stranded at 64 for 5.
Akash Bista who had smashed 55 runs in his last counter with Malaysia, brought some hopes for Nepal and shared a 18 runs partnership with Shashi Mishra. Shashi was later run out for 14 runs with three fours. Hard hitter Jagdish Chand joined Akash but failed to remain within the crease and was stumped for single. Akash Bista later was caught in the delivery of Sharvin Muniandy as an eighth wicket.
Akash, earlier had a 30 runs partnership for the eighth wicket with Alfaz Mansuri. Akash made 52-balls 35 with six fours and took Nepal to 113 for 8 in 31.2 overs. In the very next ball, Rupesh Bastola was bowled for 0. Kalicharan Yadav was the last men to be out and Nepal had to satisfy themselves with the score of 117 runs on board.
In reply, Akash Bista provided an early break through for Nepal after Nalin De Sila was trapped leg before wicket. Malaysia were then at 6 for 1. But a solid partnership between Virandeep Singh and Vinay Singh made the game remain towards their side. At lunch, Malaysia were at 27 for 1.
The left arm bowler Shashi Mishra later provided the breakthrough for Nepal in nineteenth over. Vinay Singh was caught by Aadil Khan for 22 runs. Vinay had shared partnership of 47 runs for second wicket.
The game swinged back towards Nepal after the hard hitter for Malaysia Sharin Muniandy was run out by skipper Dipendra in twentieth over. Dipendra Chand claimed his first wicket in twenty-eighth over after Thejas Rahah was caught by Akash for 2 runs. At that stage, Malaysia were at 74 for 4 in 27.4 overs. Malaysia had the innings controlled in their way though they lost their wickets at regular interval. Ainool Yatim was out for lbw by Akash Bista. Shankar Goonasagaran was caught out in the first ball of thirty-fourth over. In the very next ball, Kalicharan trapped Syahir Ramli for leg before wicket and left the game in a 50-50 mode. Malaysia were at 88 for 7 after 33.2 overs.
The thirty-sixth over turned as an expensive over and it left Malaysia in a better advantage. 11 runs was conceded off the over leaing Malaysia to 101 for 7 after 35.2 overs. Satish Chandran was bowled by Jagdish for 12 runs in thirty-seventh over. Virandeep survived a narrow run out chance in the second delivery of the thirtyeight over where the score was already 110 for 8. Needed 8 off 16 balls, Anup Neupane bowled well and the game went for the last over.In the thirty-ninth over, Amin Amanda was run out for 4 runs and the score was left at 116 for 9 in the end of the over.
Needed 2 runs off the last over, Kalicharan came into bowl and in the very first ball Virandeep hit a four to fine leg to register an exciting win.
Virandeep was adjudged as man of the match for his 55 not out innings.
