SAPTARI, JUNE 26

Bajaj Khadak Warriors won the title of the fifth Rajbiraj Mayor Cup Saptari Premier League at the Public Bindeshwori grounds on Monday.

The Warriors defeated Kanchanrup Rhinos by four wickets to claim their third title of the tournament. Batting first, the Rhinos were bowled out for 145 runs in their allotted 20 overs before the Warriors reached 146-6 with three balls to spare. Along with the title, the Warriors received Rs 300,000, while the Rhinos got Rs 150,000.

Opener Dilip Nath top scored for the Rhinos with a quick fire 42 off 22 balls that included four boundaries and three sixes, while Narayan Joshi was the next best scoring 25-ball 27 with the help of four boundaries and a six. Bibek Yadav was the pick of the Warriors bowlers taking 4-25, while Gomanand Amatya grabbed 2-15.

In reply, player-of-the-match Bishal Shusling scored an unbeaten 46 off 33 balls with the help of four boundaries and two sixes, while opener Sahil Pant scored 18- ball 21 that included a four and two sixes.

Raj Verma (17), Karna BK (14), Sandeep Rajali (14) and skipper bibek Yadav (13) also scored in double figures. Anil Yadav remained unbeaten on four-ball nine. Chitra Basnet took three wickets for Rhinos.

Rashid Khan of Kanchanrup Rhinos was declared the player of the series and he earned Rs 25,000. Shuva Kansakar of Chhinnamasta Lions and Dinesh Adhikari of Bajaj Khadak Warriors were named the best batsman and bowler respectively and they got Rs 15,000 each.

Bishal Yadav of Balan Bihul Super Kings was adjudged the emerging player of the tournament and he was awarded with cricket kits.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 27, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.