Nepal outclassed the defending champions
Singapore in the semifinals of the ongoing ACC U-16 Elite Cup being held in
Malaysia on Friday. Nepal registered a spectacular 101 runs win over Singapore
at the Bayuemas Oval Ground and entered into the finals of the ACC U-16 Elite
Cup for the second time in a row. Now, Nepal will take on the hosts Malaysia in
the final of the at the Kinrara Oval Ground to seal their maiden title of the
event.
In another semifinal, the hosts Malaysia registered a 36 runs stunning win over Oman to fix their final berth against the first edition runner-up Nepal. Earlier, Nepal had outplayed Malaysia in the penultimate delivery in their last ‘B’ group match of the ongoing tournament. With today’s triumph, Nepal have also avenged their title loss in front of huge home crowd. Singapore had defeated Nepal to lift first edition trophy held in Kathmandu in 2010.
The
defending runner-up Nepal won the toss and elected to bat first at their
favorable Bayuemas ground. Nepal posted a formidable 240 runs after losing
their nine wickets in the allotted 40 overs as their batsmen Nurdhoj Sen (51)
and Jagdish Chand (53) put excellence show with bat. Nepal had amassed a huge
247 runs target before Iran at the same ground.
Jagdish continued his superb form and smashed his second half-century of
the tournament including one against Iran.
Opener
Nurdhoj crossed his previous high-score of 47 against Kuwait as he also struck
his maiden half-century. Nurdhoj topped the highest run-getter list of the
tournament with total 163 runs from five matches.
Chasing
down the huge target, energetic Singapore side was bowled out on 139 runs in
36.5 overs. Wicketkeeper Aadil Khan was brilliant behind the wicket with two
stumping and one run out.
After
blazing half-century all-rounder Jagdish demolished opposition with 4-28
figures in 6.5 overs that earned him the man of the match. Likewise, the match
winner against Malaysia Akash Bista snatched three wickets giving away 24 runs
in his 8 overs spell. Now, Akash shares the top wicket-takers spot with
Prandeep Singh. They have snatched 12 wickets each. Another Nepali bowler Kali
Charan Yadav, who had taken 11 wickets in group stage matches, fell on the
third place as he could not add any wickets to the tally.
Singapore
had an ideal start following the target. Openers Archit Goyanka (39) and
Baikuntha Seshadri (47) laid a strong foundation for Singapore as they shared
an 81-runs opening stand. Both openers dominated Nepali bowlers in the first 15
overs play, while the rain cloud coming from north towards the ground could
have clogged Nepal’s party as Nepal was lagging behind in run rate. The match
between Malaysia and Oman was stopped for a while due to the rain.
Nepal
received the first breakthrough as run-out, when Baikuntha lost his wicket
attempting to run double. Wicketkeeper Aadil utilized the handy throw from
Nurdhoj and sent Baikuntha back to pavilion. Goyanka struck four boundaries
during his 51 balls innings, while Baikuntha hit three fours and a six in his
54 balls knock. After Goyanka’s dismissal, Singapore lost the momentum and kept
losing wickets on regular intervals. Singapore were struggling on 105-7 after
losing their six wickets for mere 24 runs.
Singapore’s
last hope was also shattered with the departure of Baikuntha. Suhash Sanu (9)
and Simar Miglani (14) added 19 runs for the ninth wicket that delayed Nepal’s
celebration for a short time.
Earlier,
Nepali star-studded batsmen once again showcased their excellent batting show
in the tournament. Openers skipper Deependra Chand (20) and Nurdhoj produced a
blazing start for Nepal as they piled on 40 runs in 3.3 overs. Deependra
contributed quick 20 off 9 balls including two fours and a six. Then, Nurdhoj
found a perfect ally in Mohammad Ashif (15) to script a 42 runs partnership for
the second wicket. Ashif struck three boundaries in his sensible innings.
Aadil
Khan and Rupesh Bastola added 21 runs each for Nepal. Nurdhoj gave away his
wicket while giving for a slog off spinner Abhinav and was stumped out. Nurdhjo
cracked nine fours in his 58 balls stay. Akash Bista (6) and Alfaz Manjoori
(18) were already in the pavilion while the team was on 134-5.
All-rounder
Jagdish shouldered the burden and proved his worth in the middle-order once
again. Jagdish quick-fired 53 runs off 24 balls including six fours and three
rocketing sixes. Jagdish hammered all around the park to upset Singaporean
bowlers. He played for a single in the mid-wicket region in the 33.4 over to
complete his second half-century of the tournament. Jagdish went after Simar
Miglani in his fifth over and produced 22 runs with three fours, two sixes and
a double. Kali Charan Yadav scored 14 runs and shared a 31 runs stand with
Akash for the seventh wicket.
Abhinav
and Archit Goyanka shared two wickets each for Singapore. Aalap Asuriekar and
Simar Miglani took a wicket each for Singapore.
Singapore bowlers gave away 16 runs as extras to Nepal.
Run-out: the turning point
Singapore,
chasing the huge total in good mood were slumped to a humiliating defeat at the
hands of Nepal. The two run-out turned out to be the turning point for Nepal
and bad luck for Singapore. Openers Goyanka and Baikuntha were sent back to the
pavilion as Nepali fielders produced two outstanding run-out. According to
Singapore coach Chetan, departure of openers cost them the match. “Our two
dependable batsmen getting out after falling short to crease turned out to be
the main cause behind our defeat,” said coach adding “They were playing good,
but running for the second run without proper call turned out to be the bad
luck for our team.” Coach was upset with his middle-order batsmen not doing
well even after a solid foundation.
Praising Nepalese batsmen, “They were belligerent against us. They played good cricket and they deserve to win,” said Chetan. According to him, Nepali batsmen were specialist in playing long-shots.
We avenged trophy loss: Nepali coach
Nepal team coach Manjur Alam Khan had two challenges
playing before playing against Singapore. First, taking revenge for their
defeat suffered two years ago and another beat Singapore to ease into finals.
Cool and calm Khan said, “I am extremely happy that we hammered them under my
coaching. And, the happiness is doubled as we thrashed them to advance into the
final.” Khan admitted that Singapore opener batsmen playing well had been
headache for him. “We were under pressure in the first fifteen overs. Also, there
was possibility of rainfall that could have spoiled Nepal’s journey to the
finals as they were far ahead than us,” coach recalled his tense moment.
Hailing opposition coach added, “Of course they are good side because they are
defending champions. But we studied their weakness and won the match.”
Bayuemas lucky ground: Jagdish
The
game changer and one of the most dependable all-rounders in Nepali squad
Jagdish Chand can deliver as per the demand at any time. Jagdish have played a
fabulous role in Nepal’s journey to the finals. According to him, the Bayuemas
ground has been the lucky one for him. And for this, he has got a solid reason.
Jagdish hammered two consecutive half-centuries against Iran and Singapore at
the same ground. “This ground has been providential for me. Within the span of
four days, I have struck half-centuries twice. What more you can expect from a
ground?” Jagdish told TNP. “I enjoy batting here. I am pleased that I lived up
to coach’s expectation again. I was sent in to bat like hard-hitter and I did
it,” Jagdish added.
Akash Bista receives warning from match officials
It
was the presentation ceremony after the match had ended in favor of Nepal. Team
members were attending the award ceremony, and while match officials including
umpire B Rahmani were about to declare the man of the match, Akash Bista adjudged Jagdish as the man of
the match. “Today’s man of the match is Jagdish,” talkative Akash uttered in
front of the jury. After the presentation party, match officials called team
manager Sanjeev Kumar Pandey and Akash for the official discussion over the
incident. And, the official came up with the decision that Akash will be under
observation for next four months and further breaches of ACC rules and
regulation during the observation period in any international matches will ban
him for one year, informed team manager Pandey. Akash himself is ashamed with
his wrongdoing. He had no idea about the outcome of such misconduct, said
Akash. Now, Akash will have to be careful during the final match to be played
at the Kinrara Oval Ground, where match referee will be keeping his eye on
him.
Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia
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