Apr 06, Kathmandu- Nepal U-19 team was stunned by one run in the second match of the ODI series against Afghanistan. With this, Nepal lost the three-match series one match early.

Chasing a target of 169 runs set by Afghanistan in the second match held on Sunday, Nepal was all out for 167 runs in 49.3 overs.

Opener Sahil Patel played a half-century for Nepal. He scored 64 runs in 119 balls with 6 fours. Similarly, Abhishek Tiwari scored 24, Darsh Sonar 21, Neeraj Kumar Yadav 15 and captain Naren Bhatt scored 13 runs. The rest of the batsmen could not even score double figures.

Wahidullah Jordan, Zaitullah Shaheen and Hafeez took two wickets each for Afghanistan. Earlier, 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 Mehboob Khan played a half-century for S. He faced 114 balls and scored 58 runs, including one four.

Similarly, openers Uzairullah Niazai scored 19 and Khalid Ahmadzai scored 10 runs. Rohullah Arab scored 27 runs while Faizal Khan Sinozada and Barkhat Ibrahimzai were out for nil.

Nazifullah Amiri scored 16, Khatir Stanikzail scored 11, Wahidullah Zardan scored 8 and Hafizullah Zardan scored 5 runs. For Nepal, Santosh Yadav took three wickets, Sibrin Shrestha and Bipin Sharma took two wickets each, and Abhishek Tiwari and Aparajit Poudel took one wicket each.

Nepal and Afghanistan are playing a practice series in preparation for the Asian qualifiers for the U-19 Men's World Cup. In the first practice match held on Thursday, Nepal was defeated by Afghanistan by 130 runs.

The third practice match between the two teams is scheduled to be held on Wednesday. Along with Nepal and Afghanistan, Hong Kong, UAE and Oman will compete in the Asian qualifiers to be held in Nepal next week.