The Nepalese Under-19s team qualified for the upcoming ACC U19 Asia Cup 2023 after securing a big 143-run win over Japan in the Semi-final of the ACC U19 Premier Cup in Malaysia.
The U19 Premier Cup’s qualification process stipulated that the top three teams would advance to the U19 Asia Cup. As a result, Nepal and the UAE have successfully secured their positions after a win in the semifinal. The outcome of the Japan versus Singapore match will determine which team earns the final spot in the U19 Asia Cup.
Nepal were victorious by 143 runs (DLS method) in a rain halted match.
Invited to bat first at Bayuemas Oval, Nepal were 140 for 2 after 25 overs when rain interrupted the match. Aakash Tripathi (35*) and Dev Khanal (8*) were at the crease while Arjun Kumal and Deepak Bohara were dismissed. Bohara smacked 79 runs from 70 balls with 10 fours and two sixes.
After the rain stopped, the revised DLS target for Japan was 187. Meanwhile, they were wrapped up for 43 runs in 11.5 overs.
Dipesh Kandel and Hemant Dhami picked up three wickets each for Nepal. Subash Bhandari picked up two while Akash Chand grabbed one.
The three teams qualified from U19 Premier Cup will join the youth teams of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the tournament set to be hosted in Pakistan.
