New Zealand Under-19s will face Nepal in the ICC World Cup Plate Championship Final after the Asian side shocked South Africa with a two-run win in Colombo.
The team from the Himalayan nation, an Associate member of the ICC held its nerve to earn a place alongside the Young Kiwis, who defeated USA in their semi-final.
Nepal scored 214-8 with captain Kanishka Chaugai (59) leading the way before restricting South Africa to 212-5, despite Dean Elgar’s 66 not out from 65 balls.
South Africa required 16 from the final two overs, 10 from the last six deliveries and three off the last ball but Basanti Regmi and Paras Khadka bowled superbly to earn their side a famous win.
It is the second time in successive ICC U/19 Cricket World Cups that Nepal have beaten the Proteas as they also overcame them by one wicket in Bangladesh in 2004
Nepal coach and former Sri Lanka batsman Roy Dias said: “That finish today was really tense but the boys handled it well and I am very proud of them.
“I told them beforehand that South Africa would be under pressure after looking at that last result and with our spinners bowling well it was a great win.”
Elgar, the South Africa captain, was gracious in defeat and said: “Our fielding let us down and they got 20 or 30 more runs than they should have but there are no excuses. They were the better side today.”
Nepal Under-19s v South Africa Under-19s
Plate Championship semi-final, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Colombo
Nepal (214-8; 50 overs, Chaugai 59 beat South Africa (212-5 50 overs, D.Elgar 66 not out) by two runs.
