CRICKET: Ireland suffer eight-wicket loss to Nepal at U19 World Cup

The defeat, coupled with India’s win over New Zealand means Nepal and India qualify for the quarter finals, with Ireland consigned to the Plate competition along with the Kiwis.

Batting first after winning the toss, Irish skipper Jack Tector (27) shared a patient opening stand of 39 with Stephen Doheny (14), before the Rush opener fell to Sushil Kandel (1/20).

Tector fell soon after to Sunil Dhamala (1-23), but it was the introduction of Sandeep Lamichhane that was to be the defining moment in the contest.

The spinner removed Gary McClintock (3) , before Adam Dennison (21) and Lorcan Tucker (15) took the total to 80 for 3, before the wheels fell off the Irish innings.

Lamichhane claimed a hat-trick dismissing the Tucker brothers and Adam Dennison, finishing with a man of the match 5 for 27 as Ireland lost five wickets for 12 runs.

Harry Tector’s unbeaten 30 ensured Ireland batted out their 50 overs, but a modest total of 131 for 9 was never likely to be enough.

Josh Little gave the Irish some hope when he trapped Sandeep Sunar lbw with the first ball of the reply, but thereafter the Nepalese totally dominated the proceedings.

Yohendra Singh Karki hit an unbeaten 61 from 81 balls (8 fours), sharing a second wicket stand of 55 with Sunil Dhamala (28), before the McClintock twins combined to dismiss Dhamala.

That was the end of the Irish success as Karki was joined by Aarif Sheikh, who hit five boundaries in an unbeaten 31.

The third wicket pair added an unbroken 77 in 72 balls as the eight wickets win was achieved with 24.3 overs remaining.

Ireland’s next match in the competition is against New Zealand on Monday.

SUMMARY:

ICC U19 WORLD CUP

At Fatullah

IRELAND 131/9 (50 overs; H Tector 30*, J Tector 27, A DEnnison 21, S Lamachhane 5-27)

NEPAL 132/2 (25.3 OVERS; YS Karki 61*, A Sheikh 31*, S Dhamala 28)

Nepal beat Ireland by 8 wickets