Nepal stun India in Under-19 Asia Cup

ESPNCricinfo: Nepal stunned defending champions India on the third day of the Under-19 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Playing a key role in the 19-run win was Dipendra Singh Airee, the captain.

Dipendra first made 88 in Nepal’s modest 185 for 8. Then with the ball, his 4 for 39 dealt vital blows after India’s openers Himanshu Rana and Manjot Kalra added 65 in quick time. India were eventually bowled out for 166 in 49.1 overs.

Rana got the chase off to a brisk start, smacking seven fours and a six in his 38-ball 46 before falling to Kamal Singh Airee.. Kalra and Atharva Taide added 26, albeit at a slow pace. At 91 for 1 in the 23rd over, the chase was well under control. But Taide’s departure resulted in complete breakdown in momentum.

Dipendra wasn’t a one-man army though. He had support from Pawan Sarraf and Shalab Alam, who picked up two wickets apiece to ensure India’s lower order wouldn’t snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The openers aside, the only other contribution of note for India was captain Abhishek Sharma’s 27.

Earlier in the day, Dipendra rescued a floundering innings after Nepal lost their openers inside 10 overs. He added 49 for the third wicket with Jitendra Singh, before taking charge. He hit six fours and two sixes in his 101-ball vigil before falling in the penultimate over.

Nepal, who were beaten by Bangladesh by two wickets in their tournament opener, play Malaysia next on Tuesday, while India, winners by 202 runs against Malaysia, take on Bangladesh.