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January 30, 2024
In a thrilling, must-win clash that has secured Nepal’s U19 cricket team a place in the annals of ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup history, the young players have successfully navigated their way into the illustrious Super Six stage. Captain Dev Khanal and star bowler Aakash Chand were instrumental in this historic feat, with their outstanding performances setting the stage for one of the tournament’s defining moments.
As the team needed six runs to win with two wickets in hand, Khanal found himself on his knees, hands on his head, praying for a miracle and reflecting on the team’s arduous journey.
The months of hard work, dedication, and sacrifices made by the players, including time away from their families, flashed before him. Khanal’s crucial partnership with Dipak Bohara brought Nepal to the cusp of victory before a dramatic twist saw Khanal’s dismissal for 58 by Ghazanfar, adding a nail-biting edge to the game. Despite the challenges, Nepal’s U19 cricket heroes persevered, ultimately achieving their dream of reaching the Super Six stage and solidifying their place in cricket history.
“I was just praying to God that we have done so much hard work over the last couple of months back home. We have not seen our families in the last two months and everybody is here, doing the hard work.” Khanal spoke to ICC Digital in an exclusive conversation.
In a thrilling display of determination, Khanal spearheaded Nepal’s chase against Afghanistan with a masterful 58 runs from 89 deliveries. As Nepal inched closer to their target of 146, tension mounted when Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar dismissed Khanal with 18 runs still required and only three wickets in hand.
The drama unfolded as Faridoon Dawoodzai reentered the attack, swiftly removing the set batter Dipak Bohara (27) and Chand (1) in consecutive overs. Afghanistan found themselves in a familiar situation, reminiscent of their previous clash against New Zealand, where one wicket was needed to secure victory while defending just a single run. As the clock ticked down and tensions mounted, the arena was primed for a heart-stopping climax.
Undeterred by the mounting pressure, Subash Bhandari channeled his unwavering focus and demonstrated remarkable poise as he masterfully guided Nepal toward the finish line. With a deft and decisive stroke, Bhandari dispatched the ball to the off-side fence, securing a boundary that catapulted Nepal into the Super Six phase of the tournament.
This decisive moment was met with an outpouring of jubilation as the magnitude of the achievement resonated with players and fans alike. The realization that Nepal had successfully qualified for the next stage of the competition was a testament to the grit and determination displayed by Bhandari and his teammates throughout the nail-biting encounter. The triumph was a testament to Nepal’s unwavering spirit and unrelenting pursuit of success on the international cricket stage.
“It’s huge. It’s a dream come true for us. You know, we have been preparing for this over the last couple of months. We know we can do it and we believe that. We can play good cricket at this level as well,” Khanal added.
“And we proved that. We stood up and showed the character.”
Aakash Chand etched his name in cricketing history by becoming the first Nepal fast bowler to capture a remarkable five-wicket haul in the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup. His outstanding figures of 5/34 were pivotal in dismantling Afghanistan’s batting lineup, ultimately contributing to Nepal’s exhilarating one-wicket victory.
Skipper Dev Khanal acknowledged Chand’s game-changing performance, highlighting the immense talent and dedication that the young fast bowler has showcased throughout the tournament. Chand’s exploits propelled Nepal to triumph in this crucial encounter. They secured their well-deserved place in the Super Six phase of the competition. This historic achievement will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Nepali cricketers to strive for greatness on the international stage.
“He’s the most hard-working guy. He comes first, he goes last. He’s that kind of character and he deserved it. We know how good he is,” Khanal said.
“It’s a huge, huge honour for him. It’s always his name on the top of the ICC page for taking five wickets for the country.”
Aakash Chand made Nepal proud by becoming the first Nepali fast bowler to take five wickets in an ICC Men’s U19 World Cup match. His fantastic performance of taking 5 wickets for 34 runs helped Nepal win a close game against Afghanistan by just one wicket.
Everyone noticed Chand’s excellent bowling, including Nepal’s captain, Dev Khanal. This remarkable achievement made all the Nepali fans very happy and showed how talented and hardworking Chand is. It also helped Nepal move forward in the competition.
Chand’s success results from his hard work and the love he received from Nepal’s fans. He felt like he had the support of his parents, even though they were far away. Chand received the Player of the Match award for his fantastic performance.
“I’m so grateful for this moment. Everyone was watching in Nepal. My brother, sister, and the whole family. There is nothing bigger than this to take five wickets in a crucial game, winning the match for the team. All the hard work has paid off,” Chand said.
“I am very happy that wherever we play, as Nepali cricketers, we get so much love and support in every corner of the world. I want to thank all of them. I can see the love of my parents in those supporters. I want to say thank you to all of them.”
Nepal is gearing up for two crucial matches in the Super Six stage of the tournament. They will face Bangladesh on January 31 and India on February 2. Both games will take place at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.
These matches are crucial for Nepal’s progress in the tournament, and fans will be eager to see how the team performs against tough opponents like Bangladesh and India. As Nepal enters this exciting competition stage, supporters will hope for memorable performances and thrilling cricket from their national side.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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