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Nepal takes ‘Plate’ for dinner
By Bernie Wijesekera
It was not a game for the weak at heart. At the same it was also not another episode of Repley’s Believe It Or Not. But, believe me it was unknown Nepal who took home the under 19 youth World Cup Plate home. The young Nepalese lads proved that their last win over South Africa was no flash in the pan when they romped home to a one-wicket win with two balls to spare over New Zealand at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, yesterday.

When tail ender Rauniyar smashed the New Zealand fast bowler Munro through backward point to the fence in the fourth ball of the final over, the hilly Himalayan land entered a new phase in their future of cricket.

Coached by the former Sri Lanka vice captain Roy Dias Nepal made 205 for 9 in 49.4 overs in reply to the New Zealand score of 204. New Zealand electing to bat on winning the toss had a few early hiccups, but survived to make their final score of 204 thanks to a fine effort by Todd Astle who made a fighting knock of 66 runs in 87 balls with nine fours.

He was also involved in a fourth wicket stand of 53 runs with N. Branch who made 21. Both batsmen fell in two successive overs to the spin of the man-of-the-match Basant Regmi who captured 3 for 41 and also top scored for the winners with a well compiled 66 that included 7 fours.

In their run chase Nepal looked as if they would be swept away with the tide reeling at six down for 75 runs. However Regmi joined the tail ender Rauniyar steadied the ship and saw them performing the impossible.

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