Nepal's commanding start in U19 Cricket World Cup as Afghanistan loses five wickets in power play

KATHMANDU: The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup witnesses Nepal's assertive entry as Afghanistan stumbles, losing five crucial wickets during the power play.

Afghanistan, having chosen to bat first after winning the toss at the Buffalo Park Cricket Ground in East London, South Africa, faces a daunting challenge against a formidable Nepali bowling performance.

Aakash Chand steals the spotlight with an exceptional display of bowling prowess, claiming four key wickets.

Adding to the early success, Gulshan Jha makes a significant contribution by securing a wicket for Nepal. At 9.1 overs, Afghanistan manages to accumulate 35 runs but not without the substantial setback of losing five wickets.

With Pakistan and New Zealand already securing their positions in the Super Six from Group D with two consecutive victories, the Nepal-Afghanistan encounter transforms into a virtual knockout scenario.

The triumphant team in this clash secures a coveted spot in the Super Six stage, intensifying the drama in this U19 Cricket World Cup showdown.

The tournament introduces a fresh format for this edition, where the top three teams from each of the four groups advance to a dynamic Super Six stage, commencing on January 30. Two groups of six teams will fiercely compete to determine the Semi-Finalists and, subsequently, the Finalists.

Simultaneously, teams at the bottom will engage in placement games to decide finishing positions ranging from 13 to 16. Nepal's early dominance sets the stage for an exhilarating journey in this high-stakes cricketing spectacle.