The young Rhinos defeat hosts Malaysia U-16 by 221 runs to secure Asian Cricket Council’s U-16 age-group tournament for a third straight time. Champions Nepal (blue) and runners-up Malaysia (yellow and black) pose for a group photo at the end of the final match of the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup at the Bayuemas Oval on Tuesday. Photo courtesy: CAN
Nepal's national U-16 men’s cricket team won the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup after crushing hosts Malaysia by 221 runs at the Bayuemas Oval in Pandamaran on Tuesday.
It is for a third consecutive time that the young Rhinos have won the Asian Cricket Council’s U-16 age-group tournament, having also secured the ACC U-16 Eastern Region Tournament trophies in 2017 and 2019.
The age-group tournament could not be held in 2021 due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The outcome also means Nepal have won all three editions of the competition.
Naren cracked an unbeaten century to guide Nepal, who opted to bat first after winning the toss. Nepal scored an imposing 252-8 total in the allotted 35 overs before Abhisekh Tiwari took a five-wicket haul to restrict Malaysia to just 31 in 14.5 overs.
Naren came in after opener Suryanshu Koirala departed for 18— caught by Hamzah Panggi off Areean Aqeel and steered Nepal innings cracking 10 fours and two sixes on his way to his unconquered 89-ball 112.
He put on a 55-run stand with Koirala’s opening partner Niraj Kumar Yadav, who made 47 runs after facing 49 deliveries to become Nepal’s second highest score of the innings.
Yadav was trapped leg before wicket by Muhammad Fathul Muin in the 17th over.
Santosh Yadav (26) then offered key support to Naren as the duo shared a 103-run partnership for the fifth wicket to lead Nepal to a challenging total.
Malaysia’s Muhammad Akram took three wickets while Haziq Haiqal, Aqeel, and Muhammad Fathul Muin shared a wicket each.
When Nepal bowled, Tiwari ripped apart Malaysia’s batting, dismissing openers Muhammad Asyqal (golden duck), Muhammad Aalif (2), Hamzah Panggi (0) and Mohammad Hairil (4) to leave the hosts reeling at 11-4 after 6.1 overs.
Akram—the only Malaysian batter to reach a double-digit score —top scored with 10 runs. Santosh removed Akram in the 11th over and took the wicket of Haiqal (0) two balls later, to inflict more damage on Malaysia.
Tiwari then claimed his fifer, bowling Aqeel for a duck and Yadav completed his three-wicket hau,l sending back Muhammad Muqri for 1.
Ashok Dhami then put an end to Malaysia’s miseries by dismissing Muhammad Fathul Muin.
Meanwhile, Singapore U-16 secured the third position after defeating Hong Kong U-16 by eight wickets for the third place in the playoff at the YSD UKM Oval in Bangi.
8.12°C Kathmandu
