While India chased down the target in 7.1 overs after Nepal was bowled out for 52 runs, 18-year-old medium bowler Raj Limbani claimed 7 wickets in 9.1 overs. India won a big match only days after losing to Pakistan in Dubai by seven wickets.
India turned around a disappointing defeat to Pakistan in their last Group A match of the U19 Men’s Asia Cup 2023 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai by putting up a polished performance against Nepal. With 10 wickets in excess, India comfortably chased down the target after batting Nepal out for 52 runs. India completed the task in only 29.2 overs, with 43 balls to spare.
On Tuesday, December 12, India improved their chances of reaching the U19 Asia Cup semi-finals with a 10-wicket win against Nepal.
The Indian team has taken first place in the rankings after three matches, with four points. India lost against Pakistan by 8 wickets on Sunday, after a 7-wicket triumph over Afghanistan on December 8. Out of eight teams in Group A, Pakistan has a good chance of winning after scoring 303 runs against Afghanistan in Tuesday’s last match. India U-19 displayed outstanding skill and dominance today as they defeated Nepal U-19 by 10 wickets, comfortably achieving the target.
Raj Limbani, a young spinner who took seven wickets, was vital in setting the ground for India’s crushing triumph against Nepal. In 9.1 overs, Raj bowled three maidens and allowed just 13 runs, demonstrating outstanding medium-pace bowling. Raj Limbani made sure that not a single Nepalese batter reached double figures. Arjun Kumal, the opener, scored seven runs, while Hemant Dhami, the No. 10 hitter for Nepal, scored eight.
Raj Limbani from Baroda had the second-best statistics among Indian U-19 bowlers. Irfan Pathan’s 2003 match against Bangladesh for the under-19 One-Day International team had the best bowling statistics (9 for 16).
Those Nepalese batters had a tough time getting the hang of the tall bowler’s extra bounce. As a further demonstration of his abilities, Raj smacked the ball with pinpoint accuracy, sending it flying in all directions.
- In a 2003 match against Bangladesh, Irfan Pathan managed to score nine runs.
- Lloyd Pope bowled 8 for 35 runs in a 2018 match against England.
- The current Raj Limbani record vs Nepal is 7 for 13.
It didn’t take long for India to close the gap as Arshin Kulkarni assaulted the Nepali new ball bowlers. He hit five sixes and a boundary on his unbeaten 43 off 30 balls. As soon as he faced the opening ball of the eighth over, he halted the chase with a six.
India will be looking to win the U19 World Cup before next year’s tournament starts on January 19 in South Africa. India have won the title five times since losing it in 2022 in the West Indies.
Assuming both sides make it to the final, India might face Pakistan. In their group match earlier this week, Pakistan defeated India by 260 runs, with Azan Awais scoring 100 runs.
