KABUL – Afghanistan trounced Nepal in ACC Under-19 Youth Asia Cup’s second semifinal in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
The emphatic seven-wicket triumph saw Afghanistan marching into the final against Pakistan, slated for Sunday.
Pakistan on Thursday qualified for the final of Under-19 Asia Cup in Malaysia by beating Bangladesh in the first semi-final under Duck worth–Lewis (D/L) method.
Batting first Bangladesh set Pakistan a 274-run target. Pakistan secured the place in the final by achieving the revised target of 199 runs in 39 overs for the loss of five wickets.
On Friday, Afghanistan won the toss and asked the opposition to bat first. With the exception of Anil Kumar, who scored 50 runs off 57 balls, Nepalese batsmen struggled.
Barring Kumar, no Nepalese batsmen could reach double figures, with the entire squad skittled out for a paltry 103 in the 28th over.
Mujeebur Rahman, bagging six wickets for 28, was the pick of Afghanistan’s bowlers. He sent back five top-order batsmen to the pavilion.
In what looked a determined reply from the national side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a quick-fire 56 as Afghanistan cruised to victory in the 21st over.
Gurbaz’s breezy knock included nine boundaries and two towering sixes before being dismissed by Sandeep Lamicchane.
But Darwish Abdul Rasool struck two consecutive sixes to power Afghanistan into the final against Pakistan on Sunday.
Afghanistan clinched the ACC Under-19 Elite Cup in 2011 and 2013 and the ACC Under-19 Premier League title in 2014 and 2015.
