KATHMANDU: Afghanistan U-19 has set a target of 169 runs for victory against Nepal U-19. Afghanistan U-19, who won the toss and elected to bat at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, scored 168 runs in the stipulated 50 overs, losing all their wickets.

Captain Mahbub Khan scored the highest score of 58 runs for Afghanistan. He hit a boundary while playing 114 balls. In addition, openers Uzairullah Niazai scored 19 and Khalid Ahmadzai scored 10 runs. For him, Rohullah Arab scored 27 runs while Faizal Khan Sinozada and Barkhat Ibrahimzai were out for nil. Nazifullah Amiri contributed 16, Zaitullah Shaheen 2, Khatir Stanikzail 11 runs, Wahidullah Jordan 8 and Hafizullah Jordan 5 runs.

For Nepal, Santosh Yadav took three wickets, Chibarin Shrestha and Bipin Sharma took two wickets each. Abhishek Tiwari and Aparajit Poudel also took one wicket each. Nepal and Afghanistan are playing practice matches in preparation for the U-19 Men’s World Cup Asia qualifiers.

Earlier, Nepal was defeated by Afghanistan by 130 runs in the first practice match held on Thursday. The third practice match between the two teams is scheduled to be held next Wednesday. Along with Nepal and Afghanistan, Hong Kong, UAE and Oman are competing in the Asia qualifiers to be held in Nepal next week.