Cricket Kitchen

Nepal Restricted to Runner-up Position

December 2, 2025

Kathmandu – After a weak batting performance, Nepal lost to the host team United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 27 runs on Monday and was forced to settle for the runner-up title in the ACC U-19 Premier Cup.

 

This was Nepal’s first loss in the tournament. However, Nepal will still play in the ACC U-19 Asia Cup. Nepal had already secured qualification for the Asia Cup two days earlier by defeating Malaysia in the semifinals.

 

According to the rules, the top three teams in the Premier Cup qualify for the Asia Cup. In the third-place playoff, Malaysia defeated Oman by 74 runs and claimed the final spot for the U-19 Asia Cup. The U-19 Asia Cup will be held this December in the UAE.

 

In the final held at the Karwan Ground in Ajman, UAE, Nepal’s captain Ashok Dhami won the toss and chose to bowl first. With Dayanand Mandal taking six wickets, Nepal restricted UAE to 147 runs in 45.5 overs and was on track for the title. However, Nepal’s batting lineup—brilliant throughout the tournament—collapsed in the final. Nepal, while chasing the target, was bowled out for 120 runs in 33.2 overs.

 

Nepal lost four wickets for just 16 runs. The top four batsmen—Neeraj Kumar Yadav (1), Vansh Kshetri (11), Nischal Kshetri (1), and Darsh Sonar (0)—returned to the pavilion early. Wicketkeeper Ashish Luha and captain Ashok tried to stabilize the innings with a 44-run partnership. Ashok scored the highest—34 runs off 66 balls—while Ashish contributed 25 runs.

 

Later, lower-order batsman Roshan Bishwakarma kept Nepal’s hopes alive by scoring 25 runs off 16 balls with one four and two sixes. But UAE’s bowlers did not allow Nepal to make a comeback. After Chandan Ram (1), Aparajit Paudel (6), and Dayanand Mandal (0) were dismissed, Nepal was bowled out with 100 balls remaining.

 

Earlier, UAE’s Ahmad Khudadad’s 71 runs proved crucial. Apart from him, only Nurullah Ayoubi (26) and Ayan Misam (11) reached double figures for the UAE. For Nepal, Dayanand took six wickets conceding only 17 runs in 6.5 overs, while Aparajit Paudel took two, and Nitesh Kumar Patel and Ashok took one wicket each.

 

A total of 14 teams participated in the tournament. Nepal defeated Hong Kong, China, and Saudi Arabia to top Group ‘A’ and reach the semifinals. Similarly, UAE topped Group ‘B’, Oman topped Group ‘C’, and Malaysia topped Group ‘D’ to reach the last four.