KATHMANDU: Rahul-XI beat Prithu-XI by four wickets during a practice match for the U-19 national team here today.
Electing to bat first , Prithu-XI laboured to 143-9 in 50 overs. Rahul-XI overcame the total losing six wickets in 37.2 overs. Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) organised the match keeping in mind the ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier stated for July 28 to August 9 in Ireland.
Prithu-XI were in dire straits at 91-7 after 37 overs. Of the seven wickets to fall, only Naresh Budhayer managed to contribute a notable 26 runs. They were staring at a demoralising defeat before Amrit Shrestha (31) and Bhuwan Karki (15) lent some respectability to their total. Skipper Rahul Kumar BK claimed 3-15 and Rupesh Shrivastav 2-26 .
In reply, Rahul-XI lost three wickets in regular succession before Rajesh Pulami, who remained unbeaten on 50, guided his team safely home. Rahul-XI lost four more wickets but Rajesh held firm to ensure his team’s victory.
Pulami put on a valuable 64-run fifth wicket stand with Sunam Gautam. Sunam struck two sixes and as many fours in his 33-ball 37 while man-of-the-match Pulami also hit two sixes and two fours in his 94-ball innings. Krishna Karki claimed two wickets while Bhuwan, Nischal Pandey, Prithu and Sagar Pun bagged one each for Prithu-XI.
Nepal are one of the 10 teams in the qualifiers including Canada, Ireland, Afghanistan, Kenya, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, USA and Vanuatu. Top six teams go through the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2012.
