U19 Cricket World Cup 2024: Nepal to field first against New Zealand

KATHMANDU: The anticipation is high as the 15th edition of the U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 commences with New Zealand winning the toss and opting to bat first against Nepal. 

In their eighth appearance on this global cricket stage, Nepal is seeking to maintain their unbeaten record against New Zealand.

Having secured a dramatic one-wicket victory in the Plate Final of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Colombo in 2006 and a convincing 32-run win in the 2016 group stage clash, Nepal aims to continue their success.

Placed in Group D alongside cricket powerhouses Pakistan, Afghanistan, and New Zealand, Nepal's tournament journey is set to unfold with today's encounter. The team will further face Pakistan on Wednesday and Afghanistan on Friday.

Players to Keep an Eye On for Nepal

While captain Dev Khanal and Gulshan Jha are familiar faces from their appearances in the senior team, the squad boasts exciting talents ready to leave an impression. Arjun Kumal, showcasing consistency in warm-up matches and the ACC U19 Asia Cup, and Durgesh Gupta, a promising left-arm seamer with a stellar record in junior domestic cricket, are players to watch.

The Nepal Squad

Dev Khanal (c), Arjun Kumal, Aakash Tripathi, Dipak Prasad Dumre, Durgesh Gupta, Gulshan Kumar Jha, Dipesh Prasad Kandel, Bishal Bikram KC, Subhash Bhandari, Deepak Bohara, Dipak Bohara, Uttam Rangu Thapa Macar, Bipin Rawal, Tilak Raj Bhandari, Akash Chand.

New Zealand's Cricket Odyssey

New Zealand's journey to the U19 Cricket World Cup involved regional qualification, with the team emerging victorious in the East Asia-Pacific tournament in Darwin last June. Players like Zac Cumming, son of former international Craig, and Tom Jones, grandson of New Zealand cricket great Jeremy Coney, bring a wealth of talent to the Kiwi squad.

The New Zealand Squad

Oscar Jackson (c), Mason Clarke, Sam Clode, Zac Cumming, Rahman Hekmat, Tom Jones, James Nelson, Snehith Reddy, Matt Rowe, Ewald Schreuder, Lachlan Stackpole, Oliver Tewatiya, Alex Thompson, Ryan Tsourgas, Luke Watson. Reserves: Ben Breitmeyer, Nick Brown, Henry Christie, Robbie Foulkes, Josh Oliver, Amogh Paranjpe.