Skipper Raju Rijal broke Nepal’s four-year century duck in age group cricket leading his side to a massive 171-run victory over Uganda in their second match of the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers at the Royal Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

The second consecutive victory saw Nepal maintain their lead atop the table with four points from two matches. In the tournament that has only one spot for the 2016 U-19 World Cup spot, it was another important victory for Nepal in their bid to reach the final. Nepal had begun the tournament with a nine-wicket crushing defeat of Papua New Guinea on Thursday.

Electing to bat first, Rijal struck 101 off 115 balls to get involved in two crucial partnerships lifting Nepal to 242-7 in 50 overs. With a mammoth to chase against a disciplined Nepal bowling, Uganda were dismissed for 71 in 36.2 overs. Rijal hailed an all round display from the team.

“We lost two early wickets, but I wanted to take it ball-by-ball and play my natural game. It was a tremendous team performance. We played like champions - we bowled, batted and fielded well,” Rijal told the International Cricket Council after his century played a crucial role in the team’s victory.

It was Nepal’s fourth century in U-19 cricket and came four years after Faizlur Rahman Khan had hit a ton against Qatar during the 2011 ACC U-19 Elite Cup in Thailand. He joined current veteran Shakti Gauchan, Kanishka Chaugain and Khan in the centurion club.

Nepal’s innings was jolted by early dismissals of openers Sandeep Sunar (two) and Sunil Dhamala (seven) at 13-2 in 4.1 overs. But together with Yogendra Karki and experienced Aarif Sheikh, Rijal not only anchored the Nepali innings but also took the team to a winning position considering a strong bowling itching to make an impact.

Rijal shared 84 runs for the third wicket with Karki who chipped in 30 off 76 with two boundaries. After the fall of Karki, Rijal added another 90 runs with Sheikh as Nepal gained an upper hand in the match. Rijal completed his century with a big six off Derrick Bakunzi in the first ball off the 43rd over before losing his wicket in the fourth delivery.

Rijal’s innings was also studded with seven boundaries. The captain’s wicket, however, was not the end of the Nepali innings as Sheikh made sure they reach close to 250-run mark with a gritty half century. Sheikh made 54 off 59 with four boundaries, while Rajbir Singh made a run-a-ball 13 with a six. Bakunzi picked up 3-54 from a hapless Uganda bowling attack.

Uganda never settled in their chase after the medium pace attack from Dipesh Shrestha and Sheikh tore apart their top order. Shrestha picked up three wickets with Sheikh and Dhamala grabbing one apiece as Uganda were reeling at 13-5.

Bakunzi (18) and John Gabula tried to keep Uganda in the game but Dipendra Singh Airee’s dismissal of the former resumed their collapse. Gabula top scored for Uganda with a 76-ball 25 hitting three boundaries. Sheikh finished with 2-1 with Airee (2-12) and Prem Tamang (2-11) sharing four wickets between them.

In another match Ireland hammered PNG by 111 runs to begin their tournament campaign on a high note. Nepal will meet the United States of America in their third match on Monday.