Kathmandu, January 13

Nepal U-19 team suffered a 41-run defeat against Afghanistan U-19 team in the second practice match at the St Stephen College grounds in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Afghanistan opted to bat first and were bowled out for 212 in 49.5 overs, while Nepal were packed for 171 runs in 41.3 overs.

Nepal made a bright start to the run chase with openers Sandeep Sunar and Sunil Dhamala adding 48 runs. Sunar scored 17 off 20 balls with a four, while Dhamala made 45 off 59 balls that included six fours and a six.

After Dhamala returned to the pavilion, Nepal lost wickets at regular interval. Except for Aarif Sheikh

(28) and Dipendra Singh Airee (23), other batsmen failed to make significant contribution as Nepal lost their second match in succession.

For Afghanistan, Zia Ur Rehman claimed three wickets, while Karim Janat and Zahir Pakteen took two each.

Earlier, Afghanistan had a worst start as they lost opener Karim Janat (naught) in the first ball of the innings. Nepali bowlers were successful to grab four wickets early on to reduce Afghanistan for 35-4 in eight overs.

But Tariq Stanikzai and Shamsur Rahman added 86 runs for the fifth wicket and guided the team to fighting total.

Rahman top scored with 75 off 128 balls that included eight fours, while Stanikzai made 37 off 60 balls with three fours and a six. Waheed Shafaq scored 30 off 27 balls.

For Nepal Kushal Bhurtel claimed three wickets, while Dipesh Shrestha and Nandan Yadav took two each and Dipendra Singh Airee grabbed a wicket.

Both Nepal and Afghanistan have been preparing for this month’s ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Bangladesh.