Challengers‚ Rangers in last four

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Everest Challengers and You We Rangers entered the semi-finals of the first Wai Wai Corporate Premier League Twenty20 Cricket Tournament here at the Tribhuvan University Stadium today. In a Group ‘A’ decider, Everest Challengers defeated Max Media by four wickets to top the pool with six points. Max Media’s loss meant You We Rangers followed Everest Challengers in the knockout phase as group runners-up. You We have four points, while Max Media ended with two. Max Media got off to a flying start when their openers Pradyu Dhanwantari and Kuldip Malla added 61 runs inside 10 overs. However, they ended posting just 121-9 before Everest Challengers cruised to 125-6 in 13 overs. Arun Chand’s explosive 42 off just 26 balls helped Everest reach the target in no time after they were reduced 30-2 by the fourth over. Arun hit seven boundaries. Shankar Thapa scored unbeaten run-a-ball 19, while Dhiraj Joshi and Chatur Chand chipped in 11 runs each. Diwash Lal Nyachhon took two wickets for Max Media. Earlier, Max Media batsmen failed to build on two big partnerships that Pradyu was involved in. After his opening stand of 61 runs with Kuldip (23), Pradyu added another 35 with Shankar Thapa — who made run-a-ball 17 with two fours — but Max Media could only manage 25 runs from the last 32 deliveries losing eight wickets. Pradyu made a 50-ball 52 with five fours and a six and Kuldip hit three boundaries in 28 balls. Man-of-the-match Shankar took three wickets for Everest Challengers with Chatur Chand also having two victims.

Meanwhile in an inconsequential Group ‘C’ match, Chaudhary Group hammered UNICEF by nine wickets. Batting first, UNICEF made 115-1 with a half-century from Will Parks. Raj Joshi then replied with a half-century as Chaudhary Group made 118-1 in 11.5 overs. Narendra Jaiswal (21) and Uddav Khadka (19 not out) added 33 runs for the first wicket for Chaudhary Group before Raj joined the latter for an unfinished 88-run stand for the second wicket. Raj smashed 52 runs in his quickfire 28-ball knock that included eight boundaries.

Earlier, UNICEF lost Binoy Dil Lama with just 19 runs on board. Will and Krishna Sunar took the team across triple figures with an unfinished 96 runs partnership. Will struck eight fours on his way to 55-ball 53 and Krishna made a 50-ball 40 with six boundaries.

In Monday’s semi-final matches, Everest Challengers will play Yeti Airlines and You We will take on Agni Air.