Kathmandu, March 30
Nepal U-19 vice-captain and middle order batsDipendra Singh Airee, who was playing his fourth match for the national squad, scored yet another half century and finished the match with a six as the Rhinos defeated Hong Kong by seven wickets in the final group stage match of the ACC Emerging Teams Cup.
Having won the toss, Nepal put Hong Kong to bat and chased down the 215-run target in 44.2 overs with the loss of three wickets. Airee and Sharad Vesawkar put on a winning partnership of 105 runs. While Vesawkar made 55, Aree made 60 as both batsmen carried their bat. Captain Gyanendra Malla, the man of the match, gave a strong start to the side with his quickfire 70 off 82 balls.
When Hong Kong were batting, the South-east Asian side were in cruise control during the first few overs of the game and were set to post a big target. When 20 overs were bowled in the innings, Hong Kong were 92 without loss. But the batting order collapsed as openers Anshuman Rath (51) and Cameron Mcaulsen (43) departed within a matter of balls. Avinash Karn claimed three wickets, Susan Bhari and Bhuwan Karki took two wickets a piece. Gyanendra Malla returned with the ball to claim two quick wickets.
When the score was tied in the forty-fifth over, Airee hit a six to wrap up the game.
Both Nepal and Hong Kong have already crashed out of the tournament following losses against Pakistan U-23 and Bangladesh U-23. The two sides meet again in Hong Kong in a few months for their ICC World Cricket League encounter.
