Kathmandu, November 12:

Singapore defeated Thailand by 45 runs, Hong Kong routed Maldives by 156 runs and Afghanistan thrashed Iran by 270 runs at the ACC Under-19 Cup cricket Tournament today.

After the day’s matches, Kuwait, Qatar and Malaysia joined Nepal in the quarter-finals with two wins each, while Iran, Thailand and Maldives were eliminated.

Batting first at Tundikhel ground, Singapore was bowled out for 142 runs in the allotted 50 overs. Opener Rohan Triipathi was the top-scorer with 27 runs, ahead of extra 25 runs. Except, Prem Dadiani (20), Rijwan Hadakia (13) and James Muruthi (10), others failed to reach the double figure mark.

For Thailand, Nishadh Thomas Rego took 4-10 off 10 overs, while Darshil Shah claimed two. In reply, Thailand failed to overcome the target and was packed for a paltry 97 runs in 41 overs. Nishadh Thomas Rego was the top-scorer with his fighting 26 off 67 balls. Opener Akshay Desai (14), Saad Akbar (16) and Ajay Saraff (10) were the other batsmen reaching double figure mark.

Mayank Dalakoti returned with the best Singaporean bowler with 3-15 off 10 overs and won the man of the match award, while Christopher Zanik took 3-29 off 10 overs.

At Institute of Engineering (IoE), Afghanistan punished Iran bowlers before getting all out for 297 runs in 38.3 overs. Afghanistan started badly losing the two wickets for just six runs. Opener Sajeed Khan scored 22 off 25 balls hitting two fours, after the early departure of other opener Hasmatullah Rabin (0) and Jawid Ahmadi (4).

Iztullah Khan scored a quick fire 44 off 25 balls including six fours and six, while Sanullah Moheeb hit five fours and a six in his 29-ball 38.

Afghanistan were struggling at 129/5, but No 6 Murad Ali and No 7 Gulbadin Nayeb shared a 139-run partnership for the sixth wicket and took the match away from Iran. Ali hit seven fours and a six in his 71-ball 87, while Nayeb scored a quick fire 82 off just 52 balls hitting eight fours and four sixes.

For Iran, Abdul Vahab and Aref Balooch took three wickets each. In reply, Iran was bowled out for a paltry 45 runs in 21.3 overs. Except No 2 Abdul GB (11) and No 3 Sajed Balooch (14), other failed to reach the double figure mark. Seven batsmen including opener Ali Agshar were out for duck.

Sanullah Moheeb was the pick of the Afghanistani bowlers taking five wickets, while Mohd Agsher took a hat-trick claiming No 2 batsman Abdul GB (11), No 10 Arif Balooch (0) and No 11 Arif Raisi (0) in the first three balls of the 22nd over to wrap up the innings.

At TU Stadium, Hong Kong outplayed Maldives by 156 runs. Batting first, Hong Kong scored 207 runs losing nine wickets in 50 overs. Openers Robert Bacon and James Atkinson put on 55 runs for the first wicket before Atkinson was out for 18 runs.

Robert, who scored 34 off 61 balls, put on another 29 runs with Gary Brierly (16) for the second wicket. Courtney Kruger scored 32 off 61 balls, while Irfan Ahmed hit two fours and a six in his 55-ball 34.

Hassan Ibrahim and Mohd Mahfooz took three wickets each, while Mihusan Hamid took two for Maldives. In reply, Irfan Ahmed wrecked Maldives innings as they were packed off for a paltry 51 runs in 20 overs. Shafraaz Jaleel (10) was the only batsman reaching the double figure mark. Opener Ahmed Hassan Sobir, Mohd Mahfooz and Ahmed Umar scored eight runs each.

Ahmed took 6-15 off six overs and won the man of the match award. Nadeem Ahmed claimed three wickets, while Zafaran Ali got one wicket.

Today’s matches:

• Qatar vs Thailand @ TU

• Malaysia vs Maldives @ Tundikhel

• Bahrain vs Brunei @ IoE

• Kuwait vs Iran @ BSAM