In a one-sided Under-19 cricket match played today at the Upper Mulpani Cricket Ground, Afghanistan handed Nepal a heavy defeat by 130 runs. This was the first game of a three-match series between the two nations, held as part of their preparation for the Asia qualifiers of the U-19 Men’s World Cup.
Afghanistan Sets a Big Target
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Their decision paid off as they posted a strong total of 300 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 50 overs. The Afghan top order played with great control and confidence. The star of the innings was Faisal Khan Shinozada. He played a solid knock of 97 runs, narrowly missing out on a century. His innings included many smart singles, well-placed boundaries, and calm partnerships.
Supporting him was Khalid Ahmadzai, who scored an impressive 76 runs. His shot selection and timing stood out as he rotated the strike and punished loose deliveries. Barkhat Ibrahimzai also made a valuable contribution with 35 runs, pushing the total further and putting pressure on the Nepali bowlers.
Nepal’s bowlers found it hard to contain the flow of runs. Santosh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets and showing some control during the middle overs. Abhishek Tiwari picked up two wickets, while Dayanand Mandal and Bipin Prasad Sharma took one wicket each. Despite their efforts, the Afghan batters stayed in command and never let the pressure drop.
Nepal’s Struggles with the Bat
Chasing a big target of 301, Nepal needed a solid start, but their top order fell early. The Afghan bowlers bowled tight lines and kept things simple. Nepal was all out for 170 runs in 46.2 overs.
Opener Neeraj Kumar Yadav was the only batter who looked comfortable. He scored a gritty 53 off 61 balls, hitting some clean boundaries and trying to hold the innings together. Santosh Yadav added 24 runs off 39 balls and showed some resistance in the middle. Ashok Dhami also scored 24, while Abhishek Tiwari and captain Naren Bhatt made 17 and 13 runs respectively.
However, no other batter could hold on at the crease. The team kept losing wickets at regular intervals, and the required run rate kept climbing. With no big partnerships forming, Nepal’s innings slowly collapsed.
Afghanistan’s bowling was sharp and well-planned. Wahidullah Zadran, Ziaullah Shahidi, and Mehboob Khan took two wickets each. They kept the pressure on by bowling dot balls and making the Nepali batters take risks. Abdul Aziz, Noristani Umzain, and Nazifullah Amiri chipped in with one wicket each, wrapping up the game in style.
Match Importance and What Lies Ahead
This match was not just a regular warm-up. It was a key part of both teams’ build-up to the Asia qualifiers for the upcoming U-19 Men’s World Cup. For Nepal, the loss is a major setback and highlights the need for more consistent batting. The coaching staff will likely look at changes or improvements before the next game.
For Afghanistan, the win will boost their confidence. Their batting and bowling both looked strong, and they seemed ready for tougher challenges ahead. If they keep playing this way, they could be among the top contenders in the qualifiers.
The second match of the three-game series will be played on April 6. Nepal will hope to bounce back and fix the mistakes made today. A better performance with the bat will be key if they want to level the series.
This loss may sting for Nepal, but such matches also help young players learn and grow. Both teams have promising talent, and fans can look forward to more exciting games in the coming days.
