KATHMANDU, Aug 16: Nepal´s embarrassing performance at the ICC U 19 World Cup continued as the Nepali side lost Thursday its third and final group stage match against England by a comprehensive 126 runs at Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville, in Australia.
Nepal had lost its earlier two matches to host Australia and Ireland. With the loss, Nepal stands at the bottom of the points table in Group A and, along with Ireland, will now compete in the Plate Championship. Australia, with three wins in as many matches and England, with two wins, advanced to Super League quarterfinals from the group. [break]
Electing to bat first, England scored 274 at the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs. The English innings was built around Ben Foakes’ magnificent 92 off just 84 balls, studded with seven fours and three sixes. [break]
Ben Duckett made an explosive 55 off 33 balls, including six four and a six, towards the end of the innings, ensuring the total go well past 250-run mark. Alex Davies who made 45 shared a 60-run opening stand with Daniel Bell-Drummond (23) as Nepali bowlers continued struggling with the ball.
It was Rahul BK who provided Nepal a breakthrough taking Bell-Drummond’s wicket in 17th over. He then returned claim Duckett and Foakes’ wickets. Avinash Karna grabbed two wickets, while Pradeep Airee got one.
Nepal started the run chase in a most unpromising fashion, losing opener Sagar Pun in the fourth ball of the innings. He was duck out off Topley bowling. Naresh Budayair (0) and skipper Prithu Baskota (0) followed suit with half the Napali batting lineup removed in the 12th over with just 25 runs on board.
Raju Pulami Magar made one run and Pradip Airee could manage only five. Nepal was once clearly at the risk of being slumped to its lowest total ever at this level of the game. It was however a 67-run sixth wicket partnership between Subash Khakurel, the only Nepali batsman who offered resistance to the English attack with 55, and Hasim Ansari (36) that helped Nepal avoid the humiliation.
Towards the end, Rahul BK made 20 and Fajlur Rahman scored 10 to help Nepal reach 148 in 46 overs. For Australia, R Topley took three wickets, while S Ali claimed four wickets.
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