Sandeep Lamichhane’s extra ordinary bowling
was the bright spot in Nepali U-19 team’s graceful three-wicket loss to
Bangladesh U-19 in their first of the three practice matches at the BKSP
grounds in Dhaka on Thursday.
In what looked like to be a below-par total
of 153-9 in 50 overs, leg spinner Sandeep, supported by other spinners in the
squad, made life difficult for Bangladesh only to see a patient 66-ball 48 not
out get the junior Tigers to 154-7 in 39 overs.
At a surface level, Nepal’s batting failure
was eclipsed by bowling effort that made Bangladesh struggle.
Nepal will be heading to Malaysia for
the November 10-19 ACC U-19 Asia Cup with Test giants India and
Bangladesh along with the hosts to tackle in Group ‘A’. And the result in the
first practice match should give enough confidence to Nepali colts in fighting
off the challenge from Test elites.
The way how Nepal had capitulated to
Afghans in the ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifiers had raised a lot of eyebrows over
the team led by Sandeep but under fluent Dipendra Singh Airee, the team has
shown signs of redemption, albeit batting improves.
Against a quality Bangladesh side, Nepali
openers faltered that began with the second-over dismissal of Sandeep Sunar
(two) before Aasif Sheikh showed some resilience making a 77-ball 32.
Aasif might have consumed lot of deliveries
but while opening the innings all he has to do is anchor the innings and let
the middle order loosen themselves up, at the same time remain circumspect;
judge the balls in their area and those outside their good zone.
New experiment at No 3, Anil Kumar Sah, has
been making some runs with his 34-ball 18 on Thursday suggesting he
can justify the new try from coach Binod Das. With all the experience he
recently has had at No 4, Dipendra is all but confirmed to play his part.
The onus will now be on other middle order
batsmen and they have ample of time to shape themselves with a proper exposure
of two more matches Nepal are scheduled to play in Bangladesh.
Deep down analysis suggests,
Nepal were the real winners of Thursday’s game. All they need to do is fix themselves at
the moments when required. A sharp captaincy from Dipendra and proper coaching
from Das will be required. Let Nepal get exposed.
Brief score
Nepal U19 VS Bangaldesh U19
Bangladesh U19 won the toss and elected to field first
Nepal U19 - 153 for 9 in
50 overs
Aasif Sheikh 32
runs in 77 balls (3 fours)
Bhim Sharki 28
runs in 46 balls (2 fours and 2 sixes)
Pawan Sarraf 19
runs in 51 balls (2 fours)
Dipendra Singh Airee 18
runs in 34 balls (3 fours)
Kazi Anik Islam 10-2-27-3
Hasan Mahmud 10-2-32-3
Bangladesh U19 - 154 for 7 in 39 overs
Naim Sheikh 53 runs in 65 balls (8 fours)
Towhid Hridly 48
not out in 66 balls (3 fours and 1 six)
Sandeep Lamichhan 10-1-25-4
Shahab Alam 10-1-28-1
Pawan Sarraf 8-0-33-1
Bangaldesh U19 won the match by 3-wickets
Man of the match - Kazi Anik Islam (Bangladesh U19)