9th Nov, 2005
Losses and wins
Excitement and anticipation turns to joy as the defending champ and also the host country wins its first match of the tournament. The only thing the hosts lost was two wickets apart from the toss. Amrit Bhattarai’s four wickets haul restricted Bahrain to 67 runs. Bahrain’s innings completed within 28.5 overs, during which Basanta Regmi became the first super-sub player for Nepal. Everyone looked happy and looking forward to tomorrow’s game.
10th Nov, 2005
Boundaryless victory
This time the host win every thing including the toss. And the very toss raises questions from all corners. Many believed Nepal should have decided to bat as the team was short of batting practice having chased mere 67 to win in the game the other day. Some were of the opinion that the game might have been interesting had Nepal batted first. Win is a win and nothing tastes better than it. Other wise there was not much to cheer on this particular match as Nepal bowled out Brunei for mere 21 runs which included nine extras. Making the lowest in the tournament so far.
Nepal in turn chased the target in 3.5 overs without hitting a single boundary. Brunei lacked back in all departments of the game however they excelled Nepal’s 9 extras to 12.
Dharmasene, the centurion
Mean while a big score was made in the match between Iran and UAE. UAE making massive 375 runs. Shehan Dharmasene getting a century. UAE won the match by 336 runs.
11th Nov, 2005
Upsets begin
So far the results had matched the predications. But the match between Kuwait and UAE turned different. UAE one of the favorites lost to Kuwait by 43 runs. UAE’s 336 run win against Iran the other day proving fruitless as Kuwait rolled on to quarterfinal. Kuwait had made 240. UAE chasing Kuwait’s 240 were all out in the 48.4 overs managing to make only 203 runs.
13th Nov, 2005
ACC development officer Rumesh Ratnayak accuses the host’s of failing to take home advantage. “Cricket Association of Nepal so far are doing a wonderful job as hosts, but haven’t been able to take advantage of the handful teams available here”, he said “the hosts should have taken advantages of the teams here and at least played a friendly with the senior side.” He also added According to him CAN members should learn to make use of the opportunities present to them.
16th Nov, 2005
Century win The hosts easily enrolled to the semifinal by wining the quarterfinal against Singapore by hundred runs. Batting first Nepal used up its 50 overs to make 223 losing 9 wickets. Sarad Vesawaker top scored with 68 runs.
Singapore’s ACC u-19 world cup ended in the 44.4 overs. They could only make 123 runs. Mahesh Chettri made 28 runs in 38 balls.
16th Nov, 2005
Hosts tromp off to final
Skipper Kanishka’s 78 ensured Host’s entry to final. Batting first Kuwait were out in the 39.4 overs making 146. The bowlers backed the skipper’s decision to bowl first right by sending 6 opponent to the pavilion by the 17th over. At the time Kuwait were 49 for 6. Amrit and Sashi took three wickets each while Bantu got two and vice captain Paras took one wicket. 102 runs partnership between Kanishka and Sarad’s partnership secured the win on the 37th over and entering a historical final as both the team will be facing each other on the final of the ACCU-19 world cup for the third time. Win on the final will be a hat-trick win for the Hosts.
19th Nov, 2005
Hat-trick win
Kanishka’s team lifts the cup
Finally the formality is over and Kaniska’s team lifts the cup as expected. Bowling first the hosts restrict, Malaysia, to 83runs. The chase was an easy one. And the crowd goes wild with joy. The crowds were pouring in from the morning and what a sight it was to see them with the national flag, face painted, some cheering the their team with the local instruments, the crowd chanting for the victory.
The audience light up the tournament
The last day of the tournament was significant for two things. Naturally nothing could beat the joy of winning the ACC U-19 cup. But the presence of audience in such large number was just as heartwarming. The crowd present in large number with the national flag on their hand, faces painted, all geared up with the musical instruments was quite a sight to behold. Their witty remarks enlighten the atmosphere.
Host’s performance and the spectators were the topic of talk for the visiting teams. Local crowd had been able to impress the visitors but the crowd on the final was mind-blowing. It was quite a sight to behold somewhere between 8-10 thousand chanting, encouraging their country. It was looked as though they were urging their players to win.
Bantu shines
Bantu Bataju so far had an ordinary tournament rose to the occasion and took 5 wicket giving away 28 runs. His 5-wicket hall began on the fifth ball of the inning. The U-19 world cup will be his last tournament in this age group, after that he will have to fight for his place in the national team. When confronted with the question after the game he replied with a true fast bowler attitude. saying getting into the u-19 squad wasn’t any easier either.
21st Nov, 2005
Sweet reward
Nepali cricketers are rewarded for their hard work and this private business houses join hands with CAN to make the award better for the players. The awards go like this- A motor bike each for the best batsman and best bowler each. Sarad Vesawkar and Amrit Bhattarai get the motor bikes, one of which was sponsored by the 21st Century.
Kaniska Chaugai, Bantu Bataju and Paras Khadka received a 14-inch color LG television for the best individual innings, best bowling figure and most catches respectively. Skipper Kaniska had scored 78* in the semifinal against Kuwait. Paras took six catches in five matches 69 Bantu bowled 5/29 in the final against Malaysia Bantu for being man of the final was awarded Rs. 25,001 by Moon Drops Manpower.
CAN awarded Rs. 15,000 cash to the all the 17 members of the ACC U-19 Cup winning team.
