Openers put on a 110 run-stand to help Nepal post 269-8. In reply, Santosh’s five-wicket haul restricts Thailand to just 44. Nepal U-16 cricket team’s Santosh Yadav (left) reacts during the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup cricket match against Thailand U-16 at the YSD UKM Oval in Bangi on Wednesday. Photo courtesy: ACC
Nepal national men’s U-16 cricket team progressed into the semi-finals of the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup after they thrashed Thailand U-16 by 225 runs in their opening match in Bangi, Malaysia on Wednesday.
Thailand had lost their three-team Group A opener against Malaysia U-16 by 118 runs on Tuesday, meaning Malaysia also advanced into the last four with a match in hand.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Nepal posted 269-8 in 35 overs at the YSD UKM Oval, with opener Niraj Kumar Yadav and Naren scoring half-centuries.
Nepal’s win basically laid on a solid 110-run opening partnership between Niraj, who smashed 43-ball 74 and Suryanshu Koirala, who made 40 off 55 balls. Niraj’s knock featured seven boundaries and six sixes while Koirala cracked three fours.
Eeshan Banerjee broke their stand after he had Niraj caught by Jet Sada in 12.6 overs. Sada also bowled out Koirala in the 19.1 overs.
Nepal’s feisty start was then continued by player of the match Santosh Yadav (42) and Naren (not out 55) as the duo put on a 71-run stand for the fourth wicket to guide their side to a dominant total.
Santosh then razed through the Thailand batting line with a five-wicket haul and restricted Thailand to just 44 runs.
His fifer also featured a hat-trick that included the scalps of Phanuwat Desungnoen (12.6 overs), Piyawat Nordi (13.1 overs) and Suphanat Muangsai (3.2 overs).
Santosh first removed Danuphon Fuangyotpinit for 12 in the 9.4 overs with Thailand at 40-5. And that triggered a series of collapses as rest of the batters never found their foot to deal with a fatal Santosh, with eight of Thailand batters departing without making a run.
Ashok Dami took three wickets including the scalp of Thailand’s top scorer Banerjee (16). Abhisekh Tiwari also pocketed two.
Nepal next face hosts Malaysia on Friday in a match that will decide the winners from Group A.
Hong Kong also advanced to the semi-finals from Group B following a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Maldives at the Bayuemas Oval in Bangi on Wednesday. Hong had defeated Indonesia by 296 runs in their opening match.
Singapore have also reached the final four with victories over their opponents Maldives and Indonesia.
Hong Kong face Singapore for a place at the top of the group on Friday.
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