KATHMANDU, May 8: Nepal advanced into the semifinal of the ACC U-16 Elite Cup cricket tournament with its third consecutive victory on Tuesday. Malaysia also advanced into the semifinal.
In the third league match played at Bayuemas Cricket Ground, Kuala Lampur, Nepal thrashed Iran by 167 runs. With the win, Nepal topped Group B with six points. Host Malaysia finished second with six equal points.
Winning the toss, Nepal opted to bat first and scored 246 runs losing eight wickets. Nepal did not start the innings well as it lost the openers with 30 runs on board in 7.3 overs. Skipper Dipendra Chand scored 12 runs off 12 balls with two boundaries while Nurdhoj Sen scored 15 runs off 22 balls with two boundaries.
Aashif Seikh and Asdil Khan then guided the team to a respectable position with a 114-run partnership for the third wicket in 117 balls. This partnership was the second highest partnership made by Nepali batsmen during the tournament.
Seikh was short to the crease with his 37 runs off 68 balls that included three boundaries. Khan and Jagdish Chand shared a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket and guided the team to the big total.
Man of the match, Khan scored 71 runs off 82 balls with six boundaries. Chand scored quick-fire 51 runs off 27 balls with four boundaries and as many sixes. Iran bowlers conceded 33 runs as extras.
Afshin Tiredas and Javed Tarkhan shared two wickets each while Zobeir Afarin grabbed a wicket. Three of the Nepali batsmen were short to the crease including skipper Dipendra Chand.
Chasing the huge target of 247 runs, Iran was bowled out on 79 runs off 28 overs. Kalicharan Yadhav grabbed four wickets in six overs conceding 12 runs. Akash Bista also took four wickets in eight overs conceding 20 runs.
Opener Aslam JJavam was the highest scorer for Iran with 21 runs off 58 balls that included a boundary and a six. Javed Tarkhan scored 11 runs off 22 balls with a boundary. Other Iranian batsmen failed to reach the double figure margin. Nepali bowlers conceded 27 runs as extras.
Nepal batting against Iran at the Bayuemas Cricket Ground in Malaysian on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy: ACC)