NEP vs NZ: U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 - Match Review

Posted on January 22, 2024  •  5 minutes  • 970 words

NEP vs NZ: U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 - Match Review

The U19 Cricket World Cup saw Nepal take on New Zealand in a challenging encounter. Here’s a breakdown of the game, including key moments, player performances, and lessons learned for the Nepal U19 team.

New Zealand Innings: Bowling Challenges for Nepal

1. Team Composition Issues:

   • Nepal fielded too few seamers, forcing them to rely on part-timer Aakash Tripathi during crucial stages. While Tripathi bowled decently, this highlighted the need for a third frontline seamer given the nature of the pitch and the game conditions.

2. Game Lost in the First Innings:

   • Gulshan Jha was underutilized during the middle overs, bowled just a solitary over despite wickets being needed.
   • Poor bowling changes during the middle overs allowed New Zealand to build a strong fourth-wicket partnership.

3. Fielding and Catching:

   • Nepal’s catching was subpar, particularly in the latter stages. Missed chances from Dev and Deepak cost valuable runs.
   • Difficult conditions due to strong winds might have impacted catching performance. However, more practice in such conditions is essential, especially since the team has been in South Africa since January 6.
   • Nepal was also unlucky on several occasions as the ball narrowly cleared the boundary tantalizingly close to fielders.

4. Positives:

   • Subash Bhandari bowled effectively during the death overs, ending with respectable figures of 3/60 in his allotted 10 overs.

5. Concerns:

   • Frontline bowlers failing to complete their full quotas raised questions about on-field tactics as Aakash Chand only bowled 8 overs, while Dipesh Kandel only bowled 7.

Nepal Innings: Batting Struggles and Moments of Brilliance

1. Early Setback:

   • Nepal’s innings got off to a disastrous start with Deepak Bohora falling in the third ball of the innings.
   • A second wicket in the name of Aakash Tripathi fell in the 6th over, leaving Nepal reeling at 18/2. Aakash gets done by the pace of Rowe, gets a leading edge, and the man at deep third takes an excellent catch diving forward.

2. Dev Looks Good But Throws It Away:

   • Dev Khanal steadied the innings with Arjun in the middle and played some delightful shots while largely looking in control. He takes the charge from the very start of his innings and motors along briskly.
   • But perhaps too much intent to score quickly leads to his wicket as he tries to straight pull a ball angling into him but fails to clear the fielder at mid-on.

3. Arjun’s Template ODI Innings:

   • Arjun Kumal played a composed and mature innings showcasing his temperament and technique.
   • Some of the late cuts against NZ spinners were a joy to behold. His off-side drives were also a treat to watch, but he has to watch out for his tendency to plant his front leg.

4. Middle Order Woes:

   • The middle order failed to capitalize on the platform set by Arjun and Dev, with wickets falling at regular intervals.
   • Dipak Bohora, Uttam Ranju Thapa Magar, Dipesh Kandel, and Gulshan Jha all fall cheaply failing to keep company to Arjun.

5. Lower Order Resistance:

   • Subash Bhandari shows his all-round skills with the bat, playing some delightful shots and crafting partnerships with the tail. He looks largely untroubled by the NZ bowlers and ends unbeaten on 33 off 52 balls.
   • Tilak and Aakash also show some resistance to ensure Nepal plays out their full quota of 50 overs.

Player Ratings and Performances

Deepak Bohora (2/10)

• Caught at gully slashing a wide delivery without proper footwork. A poor start for Nepal.
• Energetic in the field but misjudged a tough catch at long-off.

Arjun Kumal (9/10)

• A brilliant innings, scoring 90 off 104 balls, showcasing compact technique and mental toughness.
• His innings included exquisite late cuts and a composed approach despite wickets falling around him.
• Missed his century while attempting an uppercut, reminiscent of his ACC U19 Asia Cup dismissal.

Aakash Tripathi (4/10)

• Took 1/27 in four overs but was inconsistent, straying down the leg side.
• Struggled with the bat, scoring just 2 runs off 14 balls, falling to a diving catch at third man.

Dev Khanal (6/10)

• Played some crisp drives and scored 36 off 34 balls, but his captaincy decisions were a mixed bag.
• Fell while attempting a big shot, leaving Nepal needing more from their skipper in a crucial game.

Uttam Ranju Thapa Magar (4/10)

• Kept well but fell for a duck, failing to replicate his Asia Cup batting heroics.

Gulshan Jha (4/10)

• Bowled decently, taking 2/61, but was expensive at the death. Late introduction in the middle overs raised questions.
• Dismissed for 2 runs, gifting his wicket to a poor delivery.

Dipak Bohora (3/10)

• Managed 15 runs off 27 balls, showing promise but failing to stay long enough to support Arjun.
• Fell to a short ball, gloving it behind.

Dipesh Kandel (3/10)

• Inconsistent with the ball, conceding 1/43 in seven overs without finishing his quota.
• Out for a duck off a bizarre shot.

Subash Bhandari (8.5/10)

• Showcased flexibility by bowling across various phases of the innings, finishing with 3/60 in 10 overs.
• Stayed at the crease, playing decent shots, despite the game being out of reach.

Akash Chand (4/10)

• Expensive with the ball (0/52 in 8 overs) and couldn’t finish his quota.
• Scored 14 off 26 balls in a lost cause.

Tilak Raj Bhandari (7/10)

• Enjoyed his batting at #11, playing a stunning cover drive and a six over the bowler’s head.
• Provided late entertainment for fans despite the result being a foregone conclusion.

Key Takeaways

• Nepal’s ground fielding was solid, but catching requires significant improvement.

• Top-order batsmen need to exhibit greater patience and aim to bat through 50 overs.

• Vulnerability against short-pitched deliveries was evident, and opposition teams might exploit this in upcoming matches.

• Nepal’s reliance on an excess of frontline spinners was problematic, with some not even completing their overs.

• Lower-order resilience, which added 103 runs, won’t always save the day and can’t be a dependable strategy.