Host Nepal and Afghanistan registered their third consecutive win in the ICC U19 Men’s World Cup Asia Qualifier, defeating Hong Kong and the UAE at the Lower and Upper Mulpani cricket grounds, respectively, on Wednesday. Nepal defeated Hong Kong by nine wickets while Afghanistan won by 180 runs against the UAE.

For Nepal, the spinner duo of Yuvraj Khatri and Bipin Sharma bagged four and three wickets, respectively, to bundle out Hong Kong for a paltry 115 runs in 46.2 overs.

In turn, Nepal chased down the target in 12.3 overs. Niraj Kumar Yadav (23 off 12) was struck leg before in the sixth over while Shahil Patel (42 off 41) and skipper Naren Bhatta (39 off 23) completed the chase.

On the other hand, Afghanistan destroyed the UAE’s bowling lineup as they posted 359 runs on the board in the first inning. Opener Khalid Ahmadzai played a brilliant knock of 132 off 124 with the help of 14 fours while three others registered individual half-centuries—Uzairullah Niazai Khan (60 off 70), captain Mahbook Khan (59 off 37) and Barkat Ibrahimzai (62 off 22). Khan and Ibrahimzai stayed not out.

Ahmadzai’s century was the second of the Asia Qualifier; the first came off the bat of UAE’s Yayin Kiran Rai, against Nepal on April 13.

Afghanistan’s target of 360 runs was reduced to 349 in 47 overs due to rain. The UAE could only reach 168/7 within the allocated overs.

In the end, Nepal and Afghanistan accumulated six points from three wins and are at the top of the points table among the five teams. Hong Kong and the UAE have lost both the games they have played and their chances for the World Cup are now over. Oman’s hopes were shattered early, on April 14, when Nepal defeated them by eight wickets in their second game of the qualifier.

As per the qualifier format, the team at the top, after the conclusion of the single round-robin league, enters the 2026 World Cup being hosted jointly by Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Thus, only one game remains in the qualifier for Nepal and Afghanistan. They will meet on Saturday in the final game of the qualifier and the winner will get the ticket to Africa.

Nepal’s first participation in the U19 World Cup came in the third edition in 2000, while Afghanistan’s debut was in the eighth edition in 2010. By the time they entered the 15th World Cup in 2024, it was the eighth time for both.

An intense battle expected

Compared to the squads of Nepal and Afghanistan that competed in the U19 World Cup in 2024, there are new faces in both squads in the ongoing qualifier. However, the intensity of the match between the two South Asian teams has not changed.

The Dev Khanal-led Nepali side defeated Naseer Khan Maroofkhil-led Afghanistan by one wicket in the group stage of the previous World Cup, on January 26 last year, to enter the Super 6, ending Afghanistan’s journey in the tournament.

Nepal and Afghanistan, both with a majority of new faces in the squad and led by new captains, returned in action two weeks ago during the three-match one-day friendly series, a preparation for the qualifier.

Nepal lost the first game of the friendly by a massive 130 runs. They lost the second game as well, but this time by a wafer-thin margin of one run. Nepal bounced back in the third game, winning by 85 runs via DLS method and preventing a clean sweep.

“The friendly series was very helpful to understand Afghanistan, who we knew would have been a major challenger during the World Cup Qualifier. We improved with every game,” Bhatta said after the match. “We have no other aim than beating Afghanistan and entering the World Cup.”

Bhatta also believes that the upcoming encounter with Afghanistan would be different from the friendly series. “We also have Yuvraj Khatri now,” Bhatta added. “He will be an important asset as we move towards the World Cup.”

Khatri, who was injured during the previous World Cup and missed the friendly series against Afghanistan, has bagged nine wickets in the last two games. Likewise, Bipin Sharma, who took three wickets on Wednesday, will also have a major role against Afghanistan. Sharma made headlines as the youngest player in the first Nepal Premier League last year.

“We have a good bowling line-up,” Bhatta said. “We will have to believe in our batters as well because a good start, like against Hong Kong today, would turn the tide in our favour.”

Nonetheless, before Nepal vs Afghanistan and UAE vs Hong Kong fixtures on Saturday, the Asia Qualifier will see Oman face the UAE and Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday, respectively. The three teams will be looking for consolation wins in their remaining games, while the two favourites have two days for preparation.

Nepali players would be having their fingers crossed, hoping it would not rain on April 19. If the match gets cancelled and Nepal and Afghanistan share points, Afghanistan would qualify for the World Cup on net run rate.