As the champion of ACC U-19 Elite Cup would progress to the ICC U-19 World Cup as per the International Cricket Council (ICC) provision, Nepal´s World Cup hopes ended with the semifinal defeat. However, as the UAE has already qualified for the upcoming U-19 World Cup by virtue of being the host nation, Afghanistan secured berth in the biggest age group tournament beating Malaysia in another semifinal on Friday.[break]
This is the third time that Nepal has failed to qualify for the ICC U-19 World Cup in the last nine editions. Nepal could not make it to the U-19 World Cup in 1998 and 2010. Nepal had played the ICC U-19 World Cup in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2012.
Nepal, which had registered emphatic victories in the group stage of the tournament, won the toss and invited the UAE to bat first at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur. However, the decision backfired as the UAE went on to post a mammoth 271/7 in 50 overs, with Shorye Chopra blasting 114 runs off 115 balls with 17 fours and a six.
Chasing the big total, Nepal was all out for 195 in 46.1 overs. Nepal batsman Harishankar Shah tried to anchor the innings scoring 52 runs off 67 balls with eight boundaries. He retired hurt on 52 runs and could not add any more runs after returning to the crease. Meanwhile, skipper Bhuwan Karki offered some resistance scoring 41 runs off 48 balls with three fours and a six. Nirmal Thapa added 23 runs off 43 balls.
No other batsman could make a significant contribution to Nepal´s run chase. Dan D´Souza took four wickets and Saurabhkant Gir claimed two to skittle out Nepal.
Earlier, the UAE had a wobbly start as it had lost three wickets in 6.3 overs with just 32 runs on the board. However, man-of-the-match Chopra shared a massive 171-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Dan D´Souza (58) that not only repaired the early damage but also put the Gulf team in a strong position to win the match.
D´Souza, who played the anchor role, faced 105 deliveries and hit two fours.
Nepal´s Avinash Karn took three wickets while Karki, Sushant Bhari, Yagyaman Kumal and Nischal Pandey all took one wicket each.
"We were unfortunate to give away more than 200 runs to the UAE. We lost our rhythm in bowling and fielding today," said Nepali captain Bhuwan Karki. "Some dropped catches also cost us dearly," he added.
"Players came under unnecessary pressure and failed to deliver on the field," said Nepali team coach Jagat Tamata.
Nepal will take on Malaysia on Saturday in the third place play-off. Nepal had defeated Malaysia by seven wickets on Wednesday in their last group stage match.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan defeated Malaysia by a massive 140 runs to enter the final on Friday. Afghanistan reached 233/8 in 50 overs and bowled out Malaysia for 93 runs in 45 overs. Afghanistan and the UAE will vie for the title on Saturday.
Nepal had clinched the ACC U-19 Elite Cup in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 while it had finished runner-up in 1999 and 2011.
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