29 Jan 2016

NZ upset by Nepal

11:47 am on 29 January 2016

The New Zealand under-19 cricketers have been beaten by qualifiers Nepal by 32 runs in thier opening match at the ICC under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

Otago cricketer Josh Finnie.

Otago cricketer Josh Finnie. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

New Zealand skipper Josh Finnie said his side messed up what should have been a comfortable run-chase.

Nepal, who won the qualifying tournament last year, bowled the New Zealanders out for 206 after setting them a target of 239.

Captain Raju Rijal top-scored for Nepal with 48, while seamer Dipender Airee's three wickets and off-spinner Prem Tamang's two helped clinch the dramatic win.

Dale Phillips scored 41 to make a late victory bid for New Zealand before he was last out to spark joyous celebrations in the Nepalese camp.

Finnie said "We made the target more difficult for ourselves, we must now win the next two games against India and Ireland if we are to progress."

Meanwhile there were wins for India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka win