KATHMANDU, MAR 17 - Singapore denied Nepal the title of the inaugural edition of the ACC U-16 Elite Cup defeating the host by 68 runs at the Tribhuvan University Ground on Tuesday. Incidentally, this is the first time Nepal lost a final at home ground.

Defending a target of 147 runs, spinners did the job for Singapore in a slow turning pitch to bowl out Nepal for 78 runs in 22 overs. Vikas Raj Gopal scored a half century and Navin Param wiped off four top order batsmen to take the title away from Nepal.

Nepal’s coach Roy Dias said his boys lost to a better side. Despite the fact that both the teams had made it to the final on an unbeaten run the hosts were not par with Singapore in the batting department.

“These boys came from nowhere and finished runner-up,” Dias said talking about his team. “Our middle order let us down.”

Openers Sharad Khadka and Nischal Pandey made a good start as they made 29 runs in five overs. Abhiraj Singh broke the opening partnership that looked promising in the seventh over. He had Sharad Khadka (eight runs) stumped to reduce Nepal to 31-1.

Navin then took in form the other end and wickets started tumbling for the hosts. Nischal Pandey, who was looking good with 11 runs off 20 balls including two boundaries was his first victim and Nepal were 31-2.

Two overs later captain Swichan Shah (2runs) was caught at slip by Varun Sivaram. Nepal’s hope was doused in the 13th over when in-form batsman Dipendra Chaudhary and Sanam Shrestha departed at the interval of five balls and the hosts shrunk to 48-6. Shivam Ajuja bowled Devendra Somare in the 22 over to take Singapore to victory.

Earlier, bowlers continued their good work to restrict Singapore to 146 runs.   Hari Chaulagain, Devendra, Nischal and Sushan shared a wicket apiece for Nepal.  But Vikas played the spoil sports as he anchored Singapore’s innings with his 58 runs knock.

Vikas, who had come to the crease when Singapore were 6/1 in the third over remained in the crease till 37 over and took the total to 122 -5 before Rajiv Shah had him caught and bowled. Likewise, Franks and Iishaan Shekhar added 26 and 21 runs respectively. Nischal won the man of the series and the best bowler award while Vikas was adjudged batsman of the series.

Posted on: 2010-03-17 12:41

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