Nepal lost the first-ever final at the home turf as Singapore lifted the ACC U-16 Elite Cup on Tuesday.
Singapore with the trophy. Photo by Bikash Karki/myrepublica.com
Singapore scored 146/6 in 40 overs and bowled out Nepal for 78 runs in 22 overs for a 68-run win.
After electing to bat first, Singapore lost oepner Keshav Sashiri in the second over bowled by Devendra Somare.
Ishaan Shekhar, who were aggressive scoring 21 off 12 with four boundaries, tried to hit Satish Bhagat but the ball went to mid-off region where Swichan Shah took a good catch.
At 26/2 in 4.3 overs, Singapore chose to play quietly and next 14 overs they added 32 runs. Vikash Rajgopala and captain Varun Sivaram mostly relying on singles. Sivaram (14 off 40) fell to Rajiv Shah who took a return catch while Mohit Kulkarni (9) was trapped leg-before by Sushan Shrestha as the visitors go 79/4 in 26 overs.
Then Singapore swung the match in their favor with Rajagola racing to his fourth half-century in five matches. Dropped on 23 and 41, he scored 58 off 107 balls with just two boundaries before falling to Nischal Pandey.
Celebrations! Photo by Bikash Karki/myrepublica.com
Wicket-keeper Sam Franks kept the momentum on with 26 off 41 with a four and a six before running himself out in the last ball of the innings. Sidharth Sikka contributed with unbeaten 12 as Singapore finished on 146/6 – a tough score given that Nepal was a team of raw players that was depended on a couple of shoulders.
Nepal bowled 40 overs 35 minutes before the lunch leaving enough time for five overs of its innings. The early signs were good as openers Sharad Khadka and Nischal added 29 in those overs.
Story was totally different after lunch. In next five overs, Nepal lost three wickets for nine runs making it 38/5 in 10 overs – the fate of the match was already decided.
On field umpires for the final - Buddhi Bahadur Pradhan of Nepal who is also an umpire in the ICC Associate and Affiliate Panel and MV Ramesh of Singapore. Photo by Bikash Karki/myrepublica.com
Left-arm spinner Abhiraj Singh struck in the seventh over with Sharad being stumped. Two balls later, off-spinner Navin Param gave a blow taking the wicket of Nischal.
Swichan failed in fifth match straight going for a big shot – immediately after surviving a stumping on similar shot. He was second victim to Navin, who also struck in next over dismissing Dipendra Chand in a backfoot leg-before. Sushan Shrestha was run-out and it was 48/5.
Saisrikar Pogaru took three wickets for 10 runs while Shivan Ahuja grabbed the last one as Nepal was bowled out at miserable 78 in 22 overs.
This is the first-ever final that Nepal lost at home. For Singapore, who won the ACC U-15 Elite Cup two years ago, it was second title they won in Nepal.
Nischal Pandey of Nepal won the best bowler and man of the series award while Vikas Rajagolapa was named best batsman of the tournament.
Nischal Pandey with best bowler and man of the series awards. Photo by Bikash Karki/myrepublica.com
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Nischal has to fire today. Anyway, good toss to lose. Already Nepal has got a good start and they have to finish the Singapore innings early as possible.
Yea im agree with supen ji,,nischal must be fire nd yea all the best for a whole team.
No Duobt…………..
Nepal is Gonna destroy singapore Today……………
No any best of luck wishes from me………..
They are already The BEST…………….
final ko update ta ali fast hunu paryo
I agree dude………….
I agree tooooo dude……….
n i m happy moderation hatayeko le coz it wud take days to get comments posted n no fun in commenting that way.
All my Best Wishes to the World’s Best DARK HORSE cricket team………….NEPAL………………….
They are gonna Rock today……………..
Nepali team, an absoloute INSPIRATION for the youngsters…………
go Nepal go!
Guys are doing great………
1 wicket in 5 overs for 17 runs……..not bad…………
Goood goood keep the heat on………………
120 mai pack garnu parcha………………
120 ali thorai bhayo…………..150 jati
ani po sHER haru le match jiteko herna maja aaucha…………
150 chased in 15 overs……………
Hya………..update garna kati time lagako yaaaaaaaaaar
Interesting fact…..no team has scored more than 141 against Singapore in this tournament. Their bowling must be really good.
i think they gonna score around 135 or so
Its going god till now….
112 for 4 after 35 over… Need to restrict them below 130… Good Job boys
My all the best wishes are with you Nepali cricket Team
Aaba maja aaucha………………….
Aaja ta singapore ko Sukuti banaunu parcha…………..
I Love Nepali U 16 cricket Team
Certainly now Nepal is the winners.
aaja singapur lai sukuti, singanpur and jhingapur banaunu parcha ! but remember one thing don’t be overconfident while chasing moderate total coz nepal had a habit of loosing wickets quite soon if the first wicket falls sooner so grip the bat, play good shots and occupy crease and punish bad balls guys ! all the best to young blood new prospective of nepali cricket !
bigreko deshko bhatkeko chal,yestai chha yo site ko taal…..update nai gardaina yar,ke chala ho?
Ko ho yo site ko developer yasto pani taal huncha….
ki site maintain garna aundaina ki kya ho…