KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 29

Bagmati Province recorded their fourth consecutive victory, while Province-I hammered Madhesh for second win in the Wai Wai U-19 National Cricket Tournament here today.

Bagmati defeated Karnali by seven wickets at the TU Stadium. Batting first, Karnali were bowled out for a paltry 130 runs in 36.2 overs before Bagmati raced to 131-3 with 119 balls to spare.

Karnali were packed cheaply despite half century from skipper Bipin Rawal, who scored 68 off 92 balls with the help of nine boundaries.

Opener Manish Thapa scored 25 off 35 that included four fours, while Anirudh Kunwar (11) was the only Karnali batter to score in double figure.

Openers Thapa and Rawal made a confident start adding 37 runs in eight overs and Rawal watched his teammates losing wickets at regular interval from the other end.

Karnali lost the last six wickets for 27 runs in more than 12 overs.

Player-of-the-match Sakriya Karki was the pick of the Bagmati bowlers taking 5-23 from 7.2 overs and he was ably supported by Ahamad Raza (3-19). Omkar Yadav and Abishek Koirala grabbed one wicket each.

In reply, Lucky Kathayat and skipper Ashok Poudel scored half centuries to guide Bagmati to easy victory. Bagmati lost opener Sakshya Bastakoti (two) and Uttam Magar (one) in the space of one run to be 21-2 in 7.2 overs.

Kathayat and Magar then shared a 105-run partnership for the third wicket to take the team closer to victory.

Poudel fell for 59 off 64 balls that included seven fours and a six at a time when the team needed just four runs to complete the win. Kathayat struck eight in his unbeaten 92-ball 51. Anuj Chanara, Yunish Singh and Aawash Shah took one wicket each for Karnali.

At the Mulpani grounds, Province-I outplayed Madhesh Province by 10 wickets. Batting first, Madhesh were bowled out for a paltry 70 runs in 31.3 overs before Province-I raced to 72 without loss with 192 balls to spare.

Opener Mayan Yadav (19) and Dablu Malik (12) were the only Madhesh batters who scored in double figures. Dipesh Kandel (3-6) and Bipin Mahato (3-14) shared six wickets between them for Province-I, while Sandesh Bhattarai grabbed 2-8. Ashish Magar and Aswin Mahato bagged one wicket each.

In reply, Province-I openes Sonu Ansari and Suvan Gahatraj took the team home in 19.2 overs. Ansari struck four boundaries and a six in his 67-ball 45 not out, while Gahatraj remained unbeaten on 50- ball 24 that included three fours.

After the day's results, Bagmati joined Sudurpashchim Province at the top of the table with eight points, while Lumbini and Province-I have four each. Karnali are fifth on two, whereas Gandaki and Madhesh are yet to open their accounts in the seven-team table.

Top two sides after the round robin league will advanced to the final of the tournament.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 30, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.