Kathmandu, November 2

The Nepali U-19 team faced a three-wicket loss at the hands of Bangladesh youth team in the friendly match at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan grounds in Savar, Dhaka today.

Batting first, Nepal posted 153-9 in 50 overs before the hosts reached 154-7 with 11 overs remaining. The two teams are preparing for the ACC U-19 Youth Asia Cup slated for November 9-20 in Malaysia. They have been drawn in Group A along with India and Malaysia. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are in Group B, which will be joined by the winners of Western Regional Qualifiers.

Nepal made a horrible start losing opener Sandeep Sunar (one) with just two runs on the board. Another opener Asif Sheikh and Anil Kumar Sah added 30 runs for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed for 18 off 34 balls that included three fours.

Sheikh then combined with skipper Dipendra Singh Airee to add another 32 runs for the third wicket before Nepal lost two wickets in the 20th over to be 64-4. Airee, who hit two fours in his 24-ball 16 was stumped by Mahidul Islam Bhuyean off Nayeem Hasan, who also dismissed Rohit Kumar Paudel for a golden duck.

Sheikh top scored with 32 off 77 balls hitting three fours. Bhim Sharki scored 28 off 46 balls with the help of two each fours and sixes, while Pawan Sarraf hit a boundary in his 51-ball 19. Kamal Singh Airee remained unbeaten on 17 off 34 balls that included a four. Hasan Mahmud (3-32) and Kazi Anik Islam (3-27) shared six wickets between them, while Nayeem Hasan took 2-29 for the hosts.

In reply, Bangladesh U-19 rode on half century from opener Naim Sheikh to reach the target. Sheikh hit eight fours in his 53 off 65 balls. Towhid Hridly remained unbeaten on 48 off 66 balls that included three fours and a six, while Kazi Anik Islam scored 15-ball 18 not out with the help of two sixes. Pinak Ghosh (14) also contributed in double figures. Sandeep Lamichhane was the pick of the Nepali bowlers with figures of 4-25, while Shahab Alam and Pawan Sarraf took one wicket each.

The two sides will play their second match on Friday and face each other in the third and final game on Sunday.