Nepal lose to Sri Lanka by 1 run in Youth Asia Cup
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Under-19 cricket team on Thursday lost to Sri Lanka by one run during the Asian Cricket Council Youth Asia Cup 2016 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club in Sri Lanka.
Even with Dipendra Singh Airee's scintillating knock, Nepal were restricted to 226 runs in the last over. Airee made a stunning 90 runs from 99 balls, giving Nepal a hope to register the win in today's match.
However, Airee signed off with a 6 at 49.3 overs before Praveen Jayawickrama served a peach of a delivery to send him back to pavilion dashing Nepal's hopes of snatching a win over the host.
Nepal were chasing the target of 228-runs posted by Sri Lanka.
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Chasing the target, Nepal lost quick wickets of opener Sandeep Sunar (2) and Mohammed Aasif Sheikh (1) in 1.5 overs and 2.6 overs respectively for 5 runs on the board.
Aadil Khan (39) and Bhim Sharki (8) made a partnership of 27 runs off 42 balls before Sharki was sent back to the pavilion by Jehan Daniel in 9.6 overs.
Khan made another significant partnership of 45 runs off 63 balls with D Airee before he was bowled by Kamindu Mendis at 20.3 overs.
Airee and Prakash KC (14) were going strong making a partnership of 35 runs from 41 balls but KC was sent back by Ashen Bandara in 27.2 overs.
Maintaining his hold on the ground, Airee made another stunning partnership with Suvankar Urao (40). They made 84 runs from 107 balls but Mendis sent Urao back breaking that partnership.
Pawan Sarraf (0), who took two wickets, was unable to perform and went back without any runs.
The Airee duo, Dipendra Singh and Kamal Singh, were a treat to watch in today's match. Though the latter took three wickets, he went back quick making only 11 runs. Their partnership was of 21 runs from 19 balls.
Nepal soon lost Rohit Paudel (1) and Nandan Yadav (0) as well, putting all the responsibilities on Airee.
In the last over, Nepal needed 8 runs to win. Airee smashed the ball out of boundary, putting the equation in Nepal's favour.
However, Jayawickrama trapped him with a in-dipping yorker, as the umpire gave him a plumb lbw out, giving a resounding win to Sri Lanka instead.
Nepal would be facing India next tomorrow at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground.
