Afghanistan inches closer to World Cup berth

Afghanistan’s flawless campaign continued with another impressive win over hosts Singapore while Nepal walked the tightrope again in their match against Malaysia, scraping through to a five wicket win chasing a low total.

At the Singapore Cricket Club, Singapore won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping that their strength as a bowling unit could restrict Afghanistan to a modest total. Usual opener Obaid paired up with a different partner in Zadran and ventured into the middle with the unfamiliar task of having to set a target for the first time in the tournament. This did not seem to faze the pair as even after losing Obaid for 29 (25) in the 6th over, the Afghans had already amassed 38 runs with some aggressive stroke play. Stanikzai joined Zadran to continue where they left off. Singapore’s bowlers toiled and on a hot and humid day in tropical Singapore, it took them another 20 overs to finally break the 117 run partnership that followed, Stanikzai scoring a neat 55 (69) before being caught brilliantly by Rangarajan. Zadran and Rasool went on to score 73 (80) and 71 (60) respectively hitting a total of 12 sixers between them. Opening bowler Aryaman Uchil worked hard for his 3 wickets as Afghanistan finished the day on 305-6 off their allotted overs. A long day out in the sun for the Singaporeans as the Afghans proved than they could also set an imposing target when batting first.

Any sort of a potential challenge by Singapore was immediately put to bed as paceman Yosuf Zazi came charging in, removing three Singaporean batters for ducks. With the damage done at 5-4, Brigu Iyer took it upon himself to give the Afghans a taste if their own medicine, the left hander smashing 4 boundaries and 3 sixers for his 38 (35). Uchil chipped in with a short cameo of 19 (14) and that was all she wrote as Singapore folded for 81 in 18.2 overs. Afghanistan winning by 224 runs. Ibrahim Zadran voted man of the match for his 73 (80).

Nepal and Malaysia faced off at the Indian Association and Malaysia found themselves batting first after losing the toss. An early loss did not deter Syed Aziz from playing his shots, taking Malaysia to 59 before being dismissed by Nepalese captainLamicchane for 46 (66). Virandeep’s untimely dismissal put a dampener on Malaysia’s run away innings and from 64 -3, Malaysia’s innings hit a brick wall and could only hope for a miracle defending their paltry total of 89 runs, largely thanks toLamicchane, who claimed seven victims.

Nepal’s innings started smoothly with the scoreboard reading 30 runs off 7 overs. Malaysian first change bowler, HafizuddinGaafar played spoilsport removing both openers as the left arm spin of Virandeep snared batsmen 3 and 4. At this point, Nepal had lost four wickets for 10 runs before Virandeep removed Prakash for nought to make it 40-5. The lunch break could not have come at a worse time for Malaysia as an improbable victory was in sight against the shell shocked Nepalese. Airee came back in after lunch to resume his innings along with Paudel who seemed to have been buoyed by a scrumptious lunch and played a sensible innings of 34 (37) and taking Nepal across the line in 22.2 overs and winning the match by 5 wickets. Two close matches in a row against the South East Asian sides once again exposing the frailties of Nepal as a batting unit. Sandeep Lamicchane winning his third man of the match award for his figures of 7-13 off 9.1 overs.

The ICC U19s CWC Asia Qualifiers will wrap up with the last round of matches on the 25th of July. While Singapore and Malaysia will face off at the SCC for another cross border clash, the Afghans armed with a huge NRR and brimming with confidence, will come up against Nepal at IA knowing that their place in New Zealand is a done deal. Even as Kenya U19s proved that the impossible could be achieved on the last day with the drama that unfolded in the African Qualifiers less than a fortnight ago, the most optimistic Nepali fan will know that mountains will need to be moved for Nepal to beat Afghanistan in the most spectacular of margins to qualify for the now distant dream of New Zealand 2018.

For results, live scores and information on the ICC U19 CWC 2018 Division 1 - Asia please go to :https://www.icc-cricket.com/u19-cwc-2018/asia/division-1-asia-2017/