On Friday, Nepal experienced a 55-run loss to Sri Lanka in their first game of the U-19 Asia Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
Despite Mayen Yadav scoring a half century, Nepal U-19 team were all out for 178 in 46.2 overs, falling short of the target of 234 set by Sri Lanka due to the disciplined bowling attack.
Nepal began their chase well, as Aakash Tripathi and Mayen contributed 39 runs as openers.
Nevertheless, Tripathi getting out for 19 in the 11th over sparked a decline, resulting in Arjun Kumal (12) and Santosh Yadav (10) also leaving shortly after.
Mayan Yadav batted for 62 balls and received 91 deliveries to help Nepal reach a total of over 100 runs in 29.2 overs, but his dismissal by Praveen Maneesha (lbw) left Nepal in a difficult position.
Mayen scored three boundaries and two maximums.
Roshan Bishwakarma (5) and Naren Bhatta (12) both left shortly after.
Uttam Magar (17) and Naren Saud (16) attempted to stay in the chase but were unable to bring Nepal any nearer to the target.
Previously, Sri Lanka scored 233 runs in 50 overs with half-centuries by Sharujan Shanmuganathan and Lakvin Abeysinghe.
Shanmuganathan and Abeysinghe, after a sluggish beginning, propelled their team to 167-3 in 20.3 overs. However, Santosh’s dismissal of both batsmen halted the opposition’s momentum just as they were building towards a big total.
Santosh, who had sent Vimath Dinsara back for 24 runs, also got the wicket of Maneesha to finish with an impressive four-wicket haul (4-30).
Kavija Gamage batted unbeaten on 37 runs to help Sri Lanka end their innings with a competitive total.
Nepal will face Bangladesh in their upcoming Group B game on Sunday, and then they will compete against Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Bangladesh kicked off their Asia Cup campaign with a strong 45-run win against Afghanistan in Dubai.
Pakistan and India kick off the Group A competition with a highly anticipated match in Dubai on Saturday. United Arab Emirates are set to face Japan in Sharjah as the hosts.
