Nepal Under-16 registered a commanding nine-wicket win against Japan Under-16 in their second match of the ACC Men’s U-16 East Zone Cup 2025 at the Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. It is Nepal’s second consecutive victory in the tournament, further solidifying their position in the group stage.

Japan Under-16 struggled to build momentum after deciding to bat first, collapsing for 80 runs in 34.3 overs.

Openers Hugo TaniKelly (4) and Monty HaraHinze (0) fell cheaply inside the first four overs, setting the tone for a difficult innings. Kaisei KobayashiDoggett managed eight before falling lbw to Abhay Yadav, leaving Japan reeling at 24-3.

Captain Charlie HaraHinze held the innings with a patient 36 off 48 balls, hitting four boundaries, but received little support from the other end. Luke Mynard (5), Skyler Nakayama Cook (5), and Gabby HaraHinze (13) failed to convert starts as Nepali bowlers maintained tight control.

The lower order offered little resistance, with the last five wickets adding just nine runs. Ishan Lal was run out for one after facing 24 deliveries, while Juto Ball was the last man dismissed for a duck after occupying the crease for 18 balls.

Shubham Khanal was the pick of the bowlers with outstanding figures of 5 for 15 from 10 overs, including three maidens. Abhay Yadav chipped in with two wickets, while Shushil Bahadur Rawal and Bipin Prasad Sharma picked up a wicket apiece.

In response, Nepal chased down the target in just 14.2 overs at the loss of a wicket.

Joy Thapa was the only batter dismissed, caught for one. The run chase was anchored by Prashiddha Jaishi (33 off 37) and Shiwansh Bajgain (38 off 42), who added an unbeaten 76-run partnership for the second wicket. Nepal’s batters played with composure, rotating the strike and easily dispatching loose deliveries.

Earlier on Sunday, the young Rhinos defeated Singapore by six wickets in their first Group A clash at the YSD UKM Oval in Bangi, Malaysia.

Ten teams are participating in the underage tournament in Malaysia from June 22 to July 5. Of the 10 teams divided into two groups of five, Nepal are in Group A alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Bhutan and Japan. Group B comprises Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Maldives and Myanmar.

The young Rhinos will now face Indonesia on June 29, while playing Bhutan on July 1. The two best teams from each group will enter the semi-finals, with the group topper facing the runner-up of the opposite group.