Kathmandu, January 30

Nepal made it to the second round of ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup for the second time when the youth team defeated Ireland by eight wickets for their second straight victory in Bangladesh.

While everyone was celebrating, team’s assistant coach Binod Das had extra reasons to cherish. It was Das who led the youth team to the Super Eight for the first time 16 years ago in Colombo and today he is in a different role.

“It is a great feeling,” said ecstatic Das. “Last time, we were a little lucky also as we won just one match and got into the Super Eight,” said Das whose team had advanced to the second round riding on a single victory after the matches against South Africa and Pakistan were washed out. Nepal had defeated Kenya by 14 runs in the group stage. Nepal had finished eighth in that edition.

Das said the scenario was totally different this time around. “The boys have proved that they are here to play...and play bloody well,” he added. Das said the team excelled in every department. "The first stage of our mission is accomplished. We still have got few big matches coming up," he said. Asked about the team's further plan, Das said: "Plan is simple. Just keep the basic simple. Bowl to a plan, bat one ball at a time and field like 11 tigers fighting for a ball." He added: "And the way the team is

playing, I will be surprised if we don't beat couple of big teams in this tournament," added Das.

Batting first, Ireland scored 131-9 in 50 overs before Nepal reached 132-2 in 25.3 overs. Legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane starred in the match when he took five-wicket haul that included a hat-trick. He also became the first Nepali bowler to take a treble in U-19 World Cup and second overall at this level.

Avinash Karna had taken hat-trick against Bahrain in the ACC U-19 Elite in 2013. "He just finished what the other bowlers had started," Das said of Lamichhane.

"Stage was set for him to come and take wickets. To his credit, he put the ball in good areas very consistently. He bowled few good googlies to deceive the Irish," he added.