• Man-of-the-match Sandeep Lamichhane first Nepali bowler to take hat-trick in U-19 World Cup

Kathmandu, January 30

Nepal registered a thumping eight-wicket victory over Ireland to enter the quarter-finals of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, Bangladesh. today.

With two wins in as many matches, Nepal earned the berth in the second round of the youth World Cup for the second time in 16 years. Nepal had made it to the Super League in Sri Lanka in 2000.

India defeated New Zealand by 120 runs for their second win to make it to the last eight. Nepal will face India in the final Group D match on February 1 to decide the pool winners.

Nepal restricted Ireland to 131-9 in 50 overs, thanks to a five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick by Sandeep Lamichhane. Nepal then raced to 132-2 in 25.3 overs. This is Nepal’s second victory over Ireland in U-19 World Cup and fifth overall. Ireland has defeated Nepal once. Nepal is the only associate country to advance to the last eight of the U-19 World Cup.

Chasing a modest target, Nepal made a disastrous start losing opener Sandeep Sunar on the first ball of the innings, trapped leg before wicket by Joshua Little. Another opener Sunil Dhamala and Yogendra Singh Karki added 55 runs for the second wicket. Dhamala scored 28 off 35 balls that included four fours and a six.

Vice-captain Aarif Sheikh joined Karki in the middle and the duo guided the team to victory. They added 77 runs for the third wicket. Karki completed his maiden half century and remained unbeaten on 61 off 81 balls with eight fours, while Sheikh scored 31 not out, hitting five boundaries in his 36-ball knock. For Ireland Joshua Little and Gary McClimtock claimed a wicket each.

Earlier, leg-spinner Lamichhane led Nepal’s bowling attack. He finished his quota of 10 overs giving away 27 runs for five wickers and became first Nepali bowler to take a hat-trick in youth World Cup. Man-of-the-match Lamichhane had Lorcan Tucker and Adam Dennison caught off successive balls in his fourth over and bowled Fiachra Tucker on his next delivery to complete the hat-trick. “What was more important than the hat-trick was that we won an important game and qualified for the quarter-finals,” said Lamichhane. “I hope we can continue the same way in other matches.”

Sunil Dhamala made the first breakthrough breaking the 39-run opening partnership between Jack Tector and Stephen Doheny in the 15th over. After Sushil Kandel reduced Ireland to 42-2, Lamichhane claimed five wickets, reducing Ireland to 83-7 in 33rd over.

Harry Tector top scored for Ireland with 30 off 54 balls that included a four. Dipendra Singh Airee claimed two wickets, while Sunil Dhamala and Sushil Kandel grabbed a wicket.

Nepal’s skipper Raju Rijal said qualifying for the quarter-finals meant a lot for the team. Rijal told ICC, “Performances like these will inspire more people to play the game in Nepal. The team is in high spirits and we enjoy each other’s success. The target now is to get into the semis.”