Kuwait asked Nepal to bat first as they won the toss. Nepal put up 183 runs on the board before they were all out in the last ball of the 40-over innings. Nepali openers Sharad Khadka and Nischal started well and shared a 70-run partnership. Sharad faced 58 balls and scored 33 runs with four boundaries before he got stumped in the 15th over. [break]
However, Pandey anchored the Nepali innings and struck 58 runs before returning to the pavilion in the 32nd over. Pandey, who completed his half century in 71 balls, played 82 balls in total and struck six boundaries in his innings. Ali Zaheer trapped Pandey lbw. Satish Bhagat remained unbeaten on 29 runs in Nepal´s innings.
Naser Rashid and Ali Zaheer took three wickets each while Abdul Jabar claimed two wickets.
In reply, Kuwait started well but they were all out for 82 runs in 25 overs. Kuwait were 71/4 at a point but they crumbled as Nischal picked five wickets. Zakaria Liaqat Ali and Naser Rashid gave a 37-run opening partnership in 8 overs. However, Nischal´s superb performance restricted them to 82 runs.
Another spinner Bibek Chaudhary took 3 wickets. Chaudhary bowled 7 overs and kept 3 maidens. He spent 16 runs to take three wickets.
Sri Lankan coach of the Nepali team Roy Luke Dias said that the win was important but more tough matches were still to come. "Winning has its own importance, but more tough matches are ahead," said Dias. "We have to improve our game. We started well in batting but could not utilize it today (Tuesday)", added Dias.
However, Nepal have yet to confirm a semifinal berth as Hong Kong defeated Bahrain by 113 runs on Tuesday. If Nepal beat Bahrain at the BSAM Ground, Bhaktapur on Thursday, they will enter the semis as group winners. Hong Kong and Bahrain have each won a match and lost one. Kuwait also have the mathematical possibility of qualifying for the semis though they have lost both their group matches.
Nischal sets record
Nischal Pandey became the first Nepali cricketer to complete a half-century and five-wicket haul in a single international match.
He scored 58 runs against Kuwait on Tuesday at the TU Cricket Ground during the ACC U-16 Elite Cup. He bowled eight overs in the match with three maidens and took five wickets spending 15 runs.
Nepal have a 15-year history of participating in international cricket and no Nepali cricketer other than Pandey has this record in any tournament, either in age group or senior level.
"I had my own plan before batting and bowling, and playing as per the plan gave me the success", said man-of-the-match Pandey.
He is a product of Chitwan District Cricket Academy and credits the coach of the academy Raju Khadka for his success in the game.
"He played well in both the matches and contributed to the team´s win. We all should learn from him", said a happy captain of the U-16 squad, Swichan Shah.
Hong Kong, Saudi win
At the BSAM Ground, Bhaktapur, Hong Kong batted first and scored 211 runs. Bahrain were all out for 113 runs in 26.3 overs.
At the Pulchowk Ground, Saudi Arabia thrashed Thailand by 159 runs. Saudi scored 233 runs in 36 overs as Muhammad Abdullah struck 76 runs. In reply, Thailand were all out for 74 runs in 21 overs.
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