ICC U-19 World Cup
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Making space for history
KATHMANDU, Feb 5: Nepal will go for a new record while facing host Bangladesh in the quarterfinals of the ICC U-19 World Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur in Bangladesh. The match between the South Asian nations will begin at 8.45 Nepal Standard Time.
A win over Bangladesh will help Nepal make new history in the youth World Cup as the visitor has never sailed into semifinal despite playing the competition for six times earlier.
This will be second match between the two sides in the youth World Cup as Nepal had beat the opponent by 23 runs in 2002 edition. However, there has been lot of changes in 14 years and the rivalry has been renewed, with both the teams in new tempo.
Nepal stunned Test playing nation New Zealand by 32 runs and beat Ireland by eight wickets to sail into super eight stage, however faced a shocking seven-wicket defeat at the hands of three-time champion India.
While, Bangladesh has remained unbeaten in the competition by winning all three matches of the group. The host produced a 43-run win against defending champion South Africa, thrashed Scotland by 114 runs and beat Namibia by eight wickets.
Nepal has been playing all-round game with much dependence on spin bowlers and bowlers like Dipendra Singh Airee who claimed three-wicket against New Zealand and Sandeep Lamichhane, who claimed five-wicket against Ireland. These bowlers could be dependable against the host once again at the bowler-favorable pitch.
However, skipper Raju Rijal (48-run against New Zealand) and Yogendra Karki (61-run against Ireland) show that Nepal can do a lot from the bat as well.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto has been a key batsman for Bangladesh as he scored 73-run against South Africa and remained not out with 113 runs against Scotland, while Mohammad Saifuddin bagged three wickets in both the matches and claimed one against Namibia.
So Nepal needs to take care of the key players while playing the quarterfinal in front of home crowd.
