Himalayan News Service

Dharan, March 24:

Pokhara Cricket Club entered the semi-finals of the first Darshan Memorial Running Cup Cricket Tournament beating Mahabir Youth Club of Janakpur by 18 runs in a rain-affected 25 over-a-side last league round match, here today. With this win, Pokhara Cricket Club finished runner-up in Group B and joined Yeti Airlines, Eastern Academy of Biratnagar and hosts Dharan Cricket Club in the last four. On Friday, Batting first after winning the toss, Pokhara scored 121 runs losing nine wickets in 25 overs. Pokhara started badly losing opener Pradeep Rawat at the hands of Raj Mohammad when the score was just three runs on the board.

Pokhara came under further pressure when Sanjog Karna dismissed Nepali internationals Manoj Baisya (13) and Basanta Regmi (5). But Jagat Tamata, who is also the national level coach, lifted the team with an unbeaten 20 off 24 balls. In reply, Janakpur failed to overcome the target and could muster 103 runs losing nine wickets. Pokhara bowlers put Janakpur batsmen under pressure from the beginning. Opener Prahlad Shah was out for a duck in the third ball of the innings at the hands of Dipesh Khatri. Two down batsman Sanjay Lama lifted the team to some extent with 23 runs, but departed at the team score of 74. Man of the match Jagat Tamata, Rajesh Aryal, Pradeep Raut, and Rabi Thapa claimed two wickets each.