An innings of 147 by Snehith Reddy has helped New Zealand secure a 64 run win over fellow qualifiers Nepal in the Men’s Under-19 World Cup.

New Zealand – returning to the tournament after missing 2022 due to Covid – won the toss at Buffalo Park and chose to bat first against a team that had qualified for the first time since 2016 but who have the best record of any associate in the competition.

Openers Tom Jones and Luke Watson survived the first ten overs with a 53 run partnership before Subashi Bhandari bowled Jones, bringing Reddy to the crease.

Watson and Oliver Tewatiya fell in quick succession before Reddy and captain Oscar Jackson put on 157 for the fourth wicket, the partnership ending when Jackson fell for 75.

Reddy batted until the end of the New Zealand innings and finished on 147, scored from 125 balls. The New Zealand total was 302-8 with Bhandari the leading bowler, taking 3-60.

Nepal lost one of their openers for a duck after just three balls of their reply and whilst the other opener – Arjun Kumal – was able to score 90, they never looked likely to chase down their target.

Contributions also came from Dev Khanal (36) and Subash Bhandari (33) as they scored 238-9 from their 50 overs, losing by 64 runs. It was the first win for New Zealand over Nepal at the Under-19 World Cup at the third time of asking.

Nepal next play on Wednesday when they take on Pakistan, with New Zealand’s next game on Tuesday when they will play Afghanistan.