Pokhara, September 7

Informatics College Cheetahs recorded second consecutive victory in the Machhapuchhre Cricket League defeating Machhapuchhre Lions by six runs here at the MCC grounds today.

Informatics, who had defeated KKAF Syangja Challengers by five runs on Wednesday, accumulated six points from two matches to top the table of six-team competition. Machhapuchhre Lions, Downtown Pokhara Lions and Syangja Challengers are tied on three points. VM Warriors Baglung and Parbat Titans are yet to open accounts.

Opting to bat first, Informatics scored 121-7 in their allotted 20 overs before restricting Machhapuchhre Lions to 115-6. Informatics posted a fighting total after Vinay Bhandari scored a quick fire 19-ball 44 with the help of five boundaries and three sixes. Bhandari was supported by Kiran Pun, who added 12-ball 21 hitting one each four and six.

Amit Chhetri claimed four wickets and Raj Kumar KC took one for Machhapuchhre Lions, who failed to reach the target despite skipper Deepesh Khatri scoring 24-ball 42 not out hitting two boundaries and three sixes. Amit Chhetri added 19 off 27 balls that included a four. Informatics’ Vinay Bhandari claimed two wickets, while Santosh Shrestha, Joy Sharma and Kiran Pun took one wicket apiece.

In another match, Syangja Challengers recorded a two-run victory over Downtown. Syangja Challengers were bowled out for 121 runs with a ball to spare after opting to bat first but they managed to restrict Downtown to 119-9.

Samgam Gautam scored 38 off 37 balls and Bishwa Thapa contributed 18-ball 33 to guide Syangja Challengers to a fighting total. Both Gautam and Thapa hit three boundaries and two sixes. Downtown’s Raju Gurung, Lal Bahadur Gurung and Krishna Sen claimed two wickets each.

In reply, Krishna Sen scored 42 off 43 with the help of six boundaries and a six, while Sudeep Poudel cracked two fours and four sixes in his 36-ball 40 for Downtown, who had defeated Parbat Titans by 22 runs. Ashok Shrestha and Ishwor Shrestha picked up three wickets each, while Suraj Gurung claimed two and Samgam Gautam took one for Syangja Challengers.