KARACHI, July 11: Asia Youth Cup favorites Nepal gave another proof of their credentials when they went down fighting by one wicket in practice game against recently groomed Karachi Regional Academy Ground on Friday.

Nepal recovered from a shaky start of 13 for four wickets and 43 for five to be all out for 153 in 50the over thanks to a valiant 74 by skipper Shakti Gauchan.

When Shakti came to the crease Nepal were reeling at 13 for three after paceman Sharif Asadullah removed both the openers and Adeel Malik got rid of Paras Khadka for a duck.

Tall Shakti hit nine boundaries in his sparkling 74 before falling to left arm spinner Azam Hussain, who took three wickets for 23 runs in tight ten over spell.

KRA in reply reached the target with their last pair in due to a fighting unbeaten 48 by all-rounder Azam Hussain with five fours and a six. Captain Khalid Latif made 28 with three boundaries and a six.

Lanky medium pacer from Kathmandu Parmod Basnet destroyed KRK top order batting in a fiery spell and finished with an outstanding figures of 5-14 in ten overs with two maidens. Fellow-paceman Manjeet Shrestha claimed 2-57 in 8.4 overs.

Nepal will take on Ahmed Mustufa’s Cricket Coaching Centre at same ground on Saturday.

Summarized scores:

Nepal Under-19 153 all out in 49.3 overs (Shakti Gauchan 74, Dipesh Khatri 17, Manjeet Shrestha 12; Azam Hussain 3-23, Sharif Asadullah 2-35, Adeel Malik 2-24);

KRA 154 for nine in 40.4 overs (Azam Hussain 48 not out, Khalid Latif 28, Muhammad Ali Zafar 17; Pramod Basnet 5-14, Manjeet Shrestha 2-57).—APP