KATHMANDU, Dec 19: Nepal's U-19 national cricket team signed off with win after a hard fought one-wicket win over fellow associate nation Malaysia in the ACC U -19 Asian Cup held at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Winning the toss, Nepal invited Malaysia to bat first and bowled it for 153 runs in 44.4 over. In the run chase, Nepal achieved the target in 44.4 overs, exactly as many overs as Malaysia played, with a wicket in hand.

Earlier, Nepal had faced one-run defeat at the hands of host Sri Lanka on Thursday and gone down by six wickets to India the following day in its group matches consisting of four teams. The win means Nepal finished third in points table with four points while Malaysia remained pointless. 

Skipper Virandeep Singh emerged as threat for Nepal with his all round performance. He anchored Malaysian innings with 75 runs and later removed three Nepali batsmen back to the pavilion. He was trapped leg before by Dipendra Singh Airee in the last ball of the Malaysian innings. The number four batsman for Malaysia Virandeep scored seven fours in his 118-ball knock. 

Besides the skipper, Saif Ullah Malik (11 runs) and Muhammad Hasif (21 runs) were the other two batsmen for Malaysia to contribute in double digits.   

Aadil Khan of Nepal pocketed highest three wickets in his seven over spell giving away 24 runs.

Skipper Sandip Lamichhane and Dipendra Singh Airee bagged two wickets apiece. 

In the run chase, opener Avinash Karna scored 29 runs though Nepal lost wickets on regular interval. Nepal was 62/4 before Avinash was sent back to the pavilion in 14.4 over after facing 45 deliveries. 

Middle order batsman Dipendra Singh Airee scored 22 runs off 25 balls while Anil Sah contributed 32 runs, the highest score by Nepali batsman in the innings. He hit two boundaries and a six in his 66-ball knock. Rohit Kumar Paudel contributed 12 runs.

Tailender Pawan Sarraf, coming at number eight, rescued Nepal with an unbeaten 29 runs off 67 balls. He hit two fours and a six in his patient knock of 67 balls. Skipper Sandeep remained not out for three runs.   

Virandeep, who claimed three wickets, gave away 29 runs in his 10-over bowling that included two maiden overs. Syed Asiz, Muhammad Hafiz and Muhammad Amir bagged equal two wickets for Malaysia. 

 
• nepal's u-19 national cricket team
 
•  acc u -19 asian cup