Himalayan News Service

Dharan, March 26:

Pokhara Cricket Club thrashed Dharan Cricket Club by nine wickets and advanced to the final of the first Darshan Memorial Running Trophy Cricket Tournament, which has been organised by Darshan Memorial Trust, today. Pokhara will take on Yeti Airlines in March 30 final. On Saturday, batting first after winning the toss at BPKMIHS ground, Dharan were skittled out for 62 runs in 30.1 overs, with Pradeep Raut doing the most damage. Laxman Shrestha top-scored with 14 runs; and rest of the batsmen, including national players like Raj Kumar Pradhan and Ratan Rauniyar, failed to reach the double figure mark. At one stage, Dharan were 23/2 in 10 overs. Dharan had a miserable day as four of their batsmen were out for a duck.

For Pokhara, man of the match Pradeep Raut took four wickets, whereas Dipesh Khatri and Rabi Thapa claimed two wickets each and Basanta Regmi pocketed one. In reply, Pokhara overcame the target in just 13.4 overs losing one wicket. Dharan skipper Prakash Gurung and Manoj Baisya shared an unbeaten 62-run partnership to give Pokhara a place in the final. Gurung scored unbeaten 28, while Nepali intenational wicketkeeper Baisya was not out on 21.

Opener Pradeep Raut was the only wicket to fall, caught by Dheeraj Shrestha off the bowling of skipper Prashant Halwai.