KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 30

Sudurpashchim Province and Bagmati registered victories in the Wai Wai Under-19 National Cricket Tournament here today.

Sudurpashchim defeated Gandaki by four wickets for their second victory in four matches.

Batting first, Gandaki were bowled out for 209 runs in 49 overs before Sudurpashchim reached 212-6 with four balls to spare at the TU Stadium.

Deepak Dumre scored a half century for Gandaki hitting seven fours in his 99-ball 56, while opener Utsav Shrestha struck five boundaries and two sixes in his 40 off 52 balls. Subash Bhandari scored 28, while Kamal Pariyar struck four fours in his 13-ball 20.

Sujan Gautam (17), Arjun Kumal (13) and skipper Bishnu Pandey (11) also scored in double figures for Gandaki. Kailash Airee was the pick of the Sudurpashchim bowlers taking 3-43, while Aakash Chand and Gajendra Bohara claimed two wickets reach and Narayan Joshi grabbed one.

In reply, Sudurpashchim rode on fine knocks from Arjun Saud, Rahul Bhandari and skipper Khadak Bohora. Player-of-thematch Saud scored 68 off 79 balls hitting six boundaries and two sixes, while Bhandari remained unbeaten on run-a-ball 42 that included four fours. Bohora hit four boundaries in his 77-ball 40.

Lokesh Bam (15), Naresh Bhatta (13) and Basant Karki (11) also contributed in double figures.

Subash Bhandari took three wickets for Gandaki, while Sudip Aryal claimed two wickets and Arjun Kumal grabbed one.

At Mulpani, Bagmati edged past Karnali by one wicket in a low-scoring tie. Karnali were bowled out for a paltry 78 runs in 27.1 overs, while Bagmati struggled to 82-9 in 19.5 overs. Nischal Rawal was the top scorer for Karnali with 15 runs, while Sandip Shahi struck three fours in his 17-ball 14.

Bipin Rawal (12) and Rupak Dahal (10) were the other batters who could score in double figures.

Gautam KC was the pick of the Bagmati bowlers taking 4-10 and he was ably supported by Bishal Yadav (3-11) and Krish Karki (2-10). Bipul Khanal also bagged a wicket.

Bagmati batters struggled despite chasing a low target. Bibek Magar top scored with 18 runs, while Krish Karki (12) and Uttam Magar (11) scored in double digits.

Gautam KC struck a six in his unbeaten seven off three balls.

Anuj Chanara took 5-37 for Karnali, while Prakash Jaishi, Yunish Singh and Suwash Ayer grabbed one wicket each.

Lumbini Province are at the top with eight points from five matches, while Province-I are second on six from four games.

Four teams, Sudurpashchim, Bagmati, Province-II and Gandaki, have four points each. Karnali are out of race with one win in five matches. A version of this article appears in the print on December 1, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.