Nepal faced a 55-run defeat against Sri Lanka in their opening match of the ACC U-19 Asia Cup, which began today in the UAE. Despite a strong effort, Nepal fell short while chasing a target of 234 runs set by Sri Lanka.
Batting second, Nepal was bowled out for 178 runs in 46.2 overs. Opener Mayan Yadav was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 62 runs, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled to build partnerships.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack proved too strong for Nepal. Praveen Maneesha was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 30 runs in his 9 overs. Newton Ranjithkumar, Mathulan Kugthas, and Vihas Thewmika supported him well, claiming 2 wickets each.
Sri Lanka Sets a Challenging Target
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka batted first after losing the toss and managed to post 233 runs in 50 overs. Sarujan Sanmuganathan top-scored with a crucial 62 runs, while Lockwin Avesinge added a steady 50 runs. Kavija Gamage contributed 37 runs to bolster the team’s total.
Nepal’s bowlers had a mixed day. Santosh Yadav delivered a strong performance, taking 4 wickets while conceding 45 runs in his 10-over spell. Yuvraj Khatri chipped in with 2 wickets, while captain Hemant Dhami and Naren Saud picked up one wicket each.
Nepal Looks to Bounce Back
While Nepal’s performance in the opening match was disappointing, the team will be looking to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in their upcoming fixtures. The ACC U-19 Asia Cup offers valuable experience for Nepal’s young players to grow and showcase their potential on an international stage.
Stay tuned for further updates and match coverage as Nepal continues its journey in the tournament.
