KATHMANDU, Nov 6: Nepal U-19 cricket team has wrapped up the Bangladesh tour with an impressive six wickets win over the home team on Sunday. 

Nepali young team which travelled to Bangladesh as part of the upcoming ACC U-19 Asia Cup preparations had suffered defeats in first two practice matches. 

Opening batsman Mahamad Asif Sheikh was a star-man in Nepal’s win over Tigers as he smashed 88-ball 90. 

In the third and final practice match played at Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Prothisthan Ground, Dhaka, the home team won the toss and chose batting before making 225-7 in allotted 50 overs. 
In reply, Nepal reached 229-4 in 46.3 overs with the help of improved performances from the batsmen. 

Nepali head coach Binod Das had decided to change the opening partnership with Jitendra Singh coming to the side to partner Asif which eventually paid off. 

Asif and Jitendra built a 139-run partnership for the first wicket. Asif’s impressive 90 runs consisted of three sixes and nine boundaries while Jitendra’s 109-ball 45 included one six and three boundaries.   

Anil Kumar Sah contributed 15 runs off 16 balls while unbeaten Dipendra Singh Airee scored 35-ball 27 that included three boundaries.

Similarly, Rohit Kumar was another notable contributor to Nepal’s victory over the Asia Cup opponent as he hit 25 runs facing 22 balls. Bhim Sharki made unbeaten 13 runs in 10 deliveries. 
Four Bangladeshi bowlers -- Roni Hossain, Kazi Anik Islam, Shakhawat Hossain, and Aminul Islam -- claimed one wicket each. 

Earlier, Tigers made moderate start to the innings with opening batsmen Sojib Hossain and Pinak Ghosh creating just a 15-run partnership for the first wicket.

Sojib scored six off 22 balls before getting dismissed in Anil Kumar Sah’s delivery, while Pinak scored 59-ball 23. Skipper Saif Hasan made 17 runs in 23 deliveries. 

Unbeaten Aminul Islam tried to lay the foundation for Bangladeshi innings with 87-ball 80 that included eight boundaries. Number six batsman Mahamad Rakib contributed 39 runs facing 36 balls. Afif Hossain and Robiul Haque were two other batsmen to make notable contributions for the home team. Afif made 18 runs hitting three boundaries in 29 balls while Robiul scored unbeaten 21 runs facing 17 deliveries. 

Shahab Alam was pick of the Nepali bowling as he claimed three wickets and he was supported by Anil Kumar Sah who bagged two wickets. Likewise, skipper Dipendra Singh Airee added one wicket for the winning team.

Nepali team will return on Monday. 

 
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• bangladesh