Kathmandu – Nepal has qualified for the 2016 U19 World Cup in Bangladesh after Nepal U19 defeated Ireland U19 by 3 wickets in the final of ICC U19 World Cup Qualifier, hosted by Malaysia.
In the final played at Kinnara Oval winning the toss and batting first Ireland were all out for 184 runs. Gary McClintok top scored for Ireland with 45 runs from 58 balls. Lalit Rajbansi bagged 4 wickets for Nepal. In reply Nepal got to the target in 46.2 overs losing 7 wickets to secure World Cup berth. Sunil Dhamala top scored for Nepal with 47 from 71 balls.
Nepal will now join the U19 teams of the ten Test-playing nations along with Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia and Scotland in the 2016 U19 World Cup. Ireland (Europe), Nepal(Asia), Papua New Guinea(East Asia Pacific), Uganda(Africa) and USA (America) – runners up of regional championship – participated in the qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur from October 15 to 22. Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia and Scotland had qualified as winners of the regional tournaments.
2016 will be Nepal’s 7th appearance in U19 World Cup. Nepal first played the U19 World Cup 2000 where they highlighted the tournament by being the only non test playing nation into the second round of the tournament. Since then has played in every U19 World Cup except in 2010 and 2014. U-19 World Cup are organized once in every 2 year.
Nepal was once considered unbeatable in youth cricket. However after arrival of Afghanistan Nepal’s road to U19 World Cup has not been as easy as earlier years.
Most associate cricket teams envy Nepal’s records in U19 World Cup. Nepal has won 6 matches against U-19 teams of Test Playing Nations. Nepal won the 2006 Plate Championship beating New Zealand in the final and was the plate – finalist in 2008.
