Kathmandu, December 11

Nepal youth team thrashed Thailand by 134 runs in the Group A opening match of the ACC U-16 Eastern Region Tournament at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok today.

Opting to bat first, Nepal were bowled out for a fighting total of 179 runs in 34.4 overs before the hosts were bowled out for a paltry 46 runs in 19.3 overs, thanks to the five-wicket haul from Narayan Joshi.

Joshi gave Nepal an early breakthrough when he bowled Thiraphat Konthong for a duck in second over and claimed two scalps in the fourth over dismissing skipper Kongkidakon Rueangrotchanchai and Phiriyapong Shanchuai in the first and fourth balls respectively, both for ducks.

Similarly, Chiraphong Liangwichian (naught) was run out in the fifth over as Thailand were reduced to 4-4 before Joshi bowled Patiphan Satphanit (two) in the eighth over. Joshi then had Kittiphat Daorueang (three) caught by Ajay Kumar Loniya in the 10th over to complete his five-wicket haul as Thailand lost first six wickets with just 21 runs on the board.

Thailand were then reduced to 23-9 after Surya Tamang claimed two wickets and Nikhil Kumar Singh claimed one. Kokiad Chatwong — the only Thailand batsman to score in double figures with 11 off 20 balls including a boundary — and Yodsak Saranonnakkun (seven) added 23 runs partnership for the last wicket in their highest stand. Bishal Bikram KC wrapped up the innings when he dismissed Chatwong in the 20th over.

Joshi returned with the figures 5-17, while Surya Tamang claimed 2-9. Nikhil Kumar Singh and Bishal Bikram KC took one wicket each.

Earlier, Nepal made a mediocre start with the bat as openers Kushal Malla, who hit three boundaries and a six to score 22-ball 24, and Rajan Magar, who scored 18-ball 17 hitting four fours, added 33 runs before Kokiad Chatwong claimed the latter in the fifth over.

However, Nepal were reduced to 61-3 inside 10 overs after Malla was run out and Thiraphat Konthong trapped Bishal Bikram KC (five) leg before the wicket. Trit Raj Das, who top scored with 39 off 57 balls cracking four boundaries, added 23 runs with skipper Rit Gautam (16) for the fourth wicket and also shared a 37-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Sunil Bhandari to anchor the innings. Bhandari scored 33-ball 23 hitting a four.

Nepal were 120-5 inside 22 overs and the last five wickets added 57 runs. Pratis GC, who scored 12 off 21 balls hitting two boundaries, also reached double figures. Thailand’s Kokiad Chatwong claimed 3-34, while Kongkidakon Rueangrothchanchai (2-42) and Chiraphong Liangwichian (2-40) shared four wickets between them.

A total of eight teams are competing in the tournament. Nepal and Thailand are paired with Hong Kong and Myanmar in Group A, while China, Singapore, Malaysia and Bhutan are in Group B. Top two teams from both pools will advance to the semi-finals.