KATHMANDU, April 6: Nepal's U-19 cricket team lost the ODI series against Afghanistan after their second straight defeat on Sunday. The visitors clinched the three-match series with a game to spare, with the second match going down to wires as hosts Nepal fell short of just one run for victory.
In the second match of the ongoing series at Mulpani Cricket Ground on Sunday, Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. They were all out for 168 runs in 50 overs.
Afghanistan's captain, Mahboob Khan was the top scorer with 58 runs, while Roohullah Arab scored 27 and Uzairullah Niazai made 19 runs.
Afghanistan defeat Nepal, qualify for ICC U19 World Cup 2018
For Nepal, Santosh Yadav was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets, while Cibrin Shrestha and Bipin Sharma each took 2 wickets. Abhishek Tiwari and Aprajit Poudel both took 1 wicket each.
In reply, Nepal were bowled out for 167 runs. Sahil Patel top-scored for Nepal with 64 runs, while Abhishek Tiwari contributed 24 and Dhurba Sunar made 21 runs.
Nepal's cricket team needed 11 runs in the final over. With the score at 158-9, Nepal had to score 169 runs to win. But in the dramatic final over, Afghanistan won the match by just one run, clinching the series.
The third match between Nepal and Afghanistan will be held on Wednesday.