Nepal U19 vs Afghanistan U19: Afghanistan Complete 3-0 Sweep in Youth ODI Series 2025

Nepal U19 vs Afghanistan U19 3rd YODI: Afghanistan Complete Series Sweep with Dominant Display in Kathmandu

In the third and final match of the Nepal U19 vs Afghanistan U19 One Day series, played at the scenic Mulpani Cricket Ground in Kathmandu on April 9, 2025, Afghanistan Under-19 sealed the series with a commanding performance, clinching a 3-0 whitewash against hosts Nepal. Having already won the first two encounters, the visitors entered the match brimming with confidence, while Nepal, playing for pride, showed signs of resilience but fell short once again.

Afghanistan U19 captain Mahboob Khan won the toss and opted to bowl first a decision that once again paid dividends for the visitors. On a pitch that offered some early movement and variable bounce, Nepal were bowled out for 191 in 44.5 overs, a total that proved insufficient given the form of the Afghan batting line-up throughout the series.

Nepal’s Struggle with the Bat Despite Positive Start

Nepal’s innings began with a mix of caution and aggression. Sahil Patel, the top scorer with 46, and Niraj Kumar Yadav, who contributed a solid 42, stitched together a decent stand in the early phase of the innings. Their partnership briefly steadied the Nepalese innings after the early departure of opener Aakash Thapa. However, once that pair was dismissed, Nepal’s batting line-up faltered under sustained pressure from a disciplined Afghan bowling attack.

Roshan Bishwakarma chipped in with a valuable 28, and Naren Bhatta added 22, but no other batter managed to cross the double-digit mark except for Darsh Sonar, who scored a modest 10. The collapse that followed was largely due to Afghanistan’s relentless pace and spin combination, which exploited both Nepal’s inexperience and the pitch’s assistance.

Afghanistan’s Bowling Masterclass Led by Hafeez Zadran

The star of the Afghan bowling unit was Hafeez Zadran, who wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming 4 wickets in an aggressive, accurate spell. His ability to extract bounce and vary his length unsettled the middle and lower order of Nepal. Zadran’s figures reflected not just skill but also clever use of conditions he finished with 4 for 35.

Supporting him was Zaitullah Shaheen, who picked up 2 wickets with disciplined seam bowling, while Abdul Aziz also chipped in with 2 crucial breakthroughs. Captain Mahboob Khan, who has had a fantastic all-round series, took a wicket to maintain his impact across all three matches. Roohullah Arab, although used sparingly, also picked up a scalp to contribute to the collective effort.

Nepal Sets 192-Run Target: Competitive But Below Par

Posting a total of 191 runs, Nepal left themselves slightly below par, especially against an Afghan side known for chasing confidently. Despite flashes of batting brilliance from the middle order, the recurring issue of collapsing after a strong start haunted them again. The total might have posed more of a challenge if the lower order had added another 20–30 runs, but it was always going to be a tough ask to defend such a score against an in-form top-order batting unit.

Afghanistan’s Unbeaten Run in the Series: A Tale of Consistency and Skill

Coming into this match with victories by 130 runs in the first match and 1 run in the nail-biting second fixture, Afghanistan U19 had already demonstrated two contrasting styles of winning one emphatic, one nervy. The third ODI showed a balance of both clinical bowling and steady batting, underlining the team’s evolution during the series.

Faisal Shinozada, who missed a century in the opening game by just three runs, and Mahboob Khan, the Player of the Match in the second encounter, both played pivotal roles across the series. Shinozada’s top-order stability and Mahboob’s all-round brilliance were instrumental in keeping Afghanistan ahead in all departments.

In this match, although individual scores from the chase weren't published as of now, the structured dismantling of Nepal’s bowling attack reflected both planning and execution. It further cemented Afghanistan’s position as a rising force in Youth ODI cricket.

What This Series Means for Both Sides

For Nepal Under-19, the 3-0 series loss is undoubtedly disappointing, but there are positives to extract. Young players like Sahil Patel and Niraj Kumar Yadav showed promise with the bat, while bowlers such as Roshan Bishwakarma and Darsh Sonar displayed occasional control. The gap, however, was in consistency and finishing matches strong areas they will need to address ahead of their future assignments.

Afghanistan Under-19, on the other hand, will be thrilled with their series sweep. With the 2025 ACC U19 Asia Cup and the 2026 ICC U19 Cricket World Cup on the horizon, this series offered a testing ground for squad depth, form, and strategy. With standout performers in all departments, they’ve not just dominated the series but also set a strong foundation for the year ahead.