In a strong bowling performance, Nepal dismissed Malaysia for only 90 runs in the semifinal match of the ACC U-16 East Zone Cup 2025. The game was held at the Selangor Turf Club ground, where Nepal won the toss and chose to bowl first.
Malaysia’s innings began with trouble early on. They lost two wickets quickly and were struggling with just 4 runs on the scoreboard. Azib Wajdi was run out in the third over without scoring. Only a few balls later, Muhammad Ahnaf Zuhdi, the wicketkeeper, was bowled out for 4 runs by Nepal’s Abhay Yadav.
Malaysia tried to recover, but the wickets kept falling. Abhay Yadav struck again by taking out Muhammad Nur Adam, who added just 7 runs. Malaysia’s captain, Deeaz Patro, scored 10 runs before he was caught by Shubham Khanal.
The only major contribution came from Muhammad Fathul Muin, who top-scored with 38 runs. He faced 71 balls and struck 6 boundaries along with a six. His performance gave Malaysia some hope, but no other batter could stay long at the crease.
Malaysia could not build any solid partnerships and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. The team was bowled out in 43.1 overs with a total of just 90 runs.
Nepal’s bowlers were outstanding throughout the innings. Abhay Yadav led the bowling attack with an excellent spell. He bowled 10 overs, gave away just 15 runs, and took 4 key wickets. His tight line and length troubled all Malaysian batters.
Supporting Yadav, Shubham Khanal also had an impressive day with the ball. He picked up 3 wickets in his 10-over spell. He bowled 4 maiden overs and gave away only 12 runs, building pressure on the Malaysian side.
Other bowlers from Nepal maintained control and gave little room for the batters to score. The fielders also did a good job in saving runs and supporting the bowlers.
With a low target of 91, Nepal now has a clear path to reach the final, provided they bat sensibly. Their disciplined bowling performance has already given them a strong edge.
Nepal entered the semifinal as the defending champion of the ACC U-16 East Zone Cup. The team has shown strong form in earlier matches of the tournament.
Malaysia, on the other hand, struggled under pressure and could not build any momentum. They failed to recover after the early dismissals and could not post a competitive score.
The semifinal is being closely watched, as the winning team will move forward to the final match of the tournament. Nepal is expected to chase the small target with confidence, thanks to their current form and solid batting lineup.
The ACC U-16 East Cup has been a platform for young talents in Asia to show their skills. Matches like this highlight the importance of teamwork, focus, and discipline in youth cricket.
As Nepal prepares to chase the 91-run target, fans are hopeful for a smooth finish and a chance to defend the title in the final round of the ACC U-16 East Cup.
