Nepal U19 edges out Afghanistan U19 in nail-biting contest with Dev Khanal’s heroics

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In a gripping encounter at Buffalo Park, Nepal U19 secured a thrilling one-wicket victory over Afghanistan U19, propelled by Dev Khanal’s impressive knock of 58 and Akash Chand’s fifer.

Opting to bat, Afghanistan faced early troubles against Akash Chand’s fiery bowling, finding themselves at 43 for 6 by the 12th over. Despite a resilient partnership between Naseer Khan and Allah Gazanfar, contributing 42 runs for the seventh wicket, Afghanistan could only manage a total of 145 runs.

In response, Nepal also encountered a shaky start, losing three wickets for just 24 runs by the ninth over. However, Dev Khanal’s resilient innings, supported by Akash Tripathi and Deepak Bohara, steered the innings. With six runs needed and Bohara departing, the match hung in the balance, but Subash Bhandari’s crucial boundary sealed the victory for Nepal U19 with just one wicket in hand.

**Brief Scores:**
Afghanistan: 145 all out in 40.1 overs (Allah Gazanfar 37, Naseer Khan 31; Akash Chand 5-34, Dipesh Kandel 2-17)
Nepal: 149/9 in 44.4 overs (Dev Khanal 58, Deepak Bohara 27; Faridoon Dawoodzai 3-21, Naseer Khan 2-28)
Nepal U19 wins by 1 wicket.